Trick Metagross + Sandstorm

[Sverre23]

Hello everyone,

I'm Sverre23 and this is my second RMT and succesfull team.
First of all: don't be misled by the title, it's "Trick" and not "Trick Room"!
In my last RMT I featured a decent sandstorm stalling team, and to make it a better team I had to replace Metagross with Heatran.
I was disappointed because Metagross is one of my favorite Pokémon, so I looked for a way to use him in a sandstorm team.
This resulted in this team, and it worked out way better than my previous team, the one I featured in my previous RMT.
Because I still noticed it had some problems, but I couldn't know how to improve it, and because I got great advice last time, I decided to RMT this team as well.

Building Process

First I (obviously) added Metagross. I gave it a shiny sprite because... why not? It looks epic.
I prefered T-Tar over Hippowdon, but that doesn't mean Hippowdon still is an option.
My T-Tar has a scarfed set which does great countering psychic types, which is one of the reasons I prefered it over Hippowdon.
Metagross has a pretty unusual but really effective combination of Trick + Iron Ball. This helps a lot against annoying Skarms and other threads.

One Pokémon that was sure to have improved chances of sweeping with skarmory out of the way, is Landorus.
I gave him a Expert Belt set instead of a Scarf, since I figured it would work better and I like it better.

There still were three Steel-type Pokémon that neither Metagross and Landorus weren't able to counter:
Ferrothorn, Forretress and Scizor. Rotom-W with HP fire could take them down, exept Ferrothorn maybe,
and at the same time he can get rid of Politoed (and other water types).
I gave it a bulky set, to make it able to abuse it great defense synergy with Metagross.

Next up was a weakness of almost every sandstorm team: fighting types.
Reuniclus does a great job checking themand at the same time can take down Ferrothorn with CM + Focus Blast when Rotom-W can't.

The team was almost complete. I added Terrakion since he has good offensive synergy with Landorus, but I replaced it later.
I don't know why, but it didn't work well with the team.

So instead of Terrakion, I added Cradily, who I also featured in my last RMT. If you don't know yet, Cradily does epic in sandstorm,
since he has a decent base stat but it increases a lot in sandstorm thanks to it's Rock typing. It can also Badly Poison Politoed on an incoming Surf/Scald.
T-Tar was originally a Stealth Rocker, but Cradily could do it instead, which meant I didn't have to give up T-Tar's Choice Scarf.
One problem of the team still is the huge weakness against Scizor, notwithstanding Rotom-W.

In Depth

Hunter (Tyranitar) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Superpower

Choice scarf Tyranitar. I first gave him the usual Mixed Attacker set, but since that didn't work out that well I chose this set.
Along with choice scarf it does really well countering psychic types such as Latias & Latios, and it makes a solid revenge killer.
His main purpose on the team is defeating those psychic types, revenge killing and ofcourse, summoning the sandstorm.

X-Blade (Metagross) @ Iron Ball
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Trick

The Metagross were I based my team around, even tough it's just there for support. Again: it's "Trick" and not "Trick Room"!
This guy can help a lot making fast Pokémon like Alakazam much slower, and easier to take down,
but also can make the Levitate ability / Flying type of an opponent useless passing Iron Ball.
Meteor Mash and Eartquake's role is obvious: hit hard whenever possible, and Ice Punch is to take down a dragon type trying to sweep.
His main purpose on the team is support, but he can be usefull against Pokémon without a resistance to Steel.

Big Boss (Landorus) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 228 Atk / 28 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]

There is a reason I nicknamed Landorus "Big Boss". Because he is. When Metagross has fulfilled his job,
few Pokémon can prevent Landorus fro sweeping. Landorus does epic with Expert Belt, being able to suprise opponent when they believe I'm choiced.
U-turn is great offensive and especially against Pokémon weak to it, and HP Ice may not hit hard, but on Pokémon that are weak to it it will.
His main purpose on the team is sweep whenever possible.

OxiClean (Rotom-W) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP / 252 SAtk / 144 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Pain Split

Rotom-W as we all know him, except this one isn't scarfed. Unfortunately, I could abuse it's great Volt-Turn synergy with Landorus,
because I wouldn't be able to take out all water types with Volt Switch. HP Fire is to take out Pokémon with Steel/Bug typing
and maybe Steel/Grass too if I'm lucky. Pain Split is the defensive part of this set.
Why is this Rotom-W not scarfed? Because I couldn't make it so I can only choose a useless move against a water type when I can take it out,
and because Rotom-W already is frial defensive and Sandstorm doesn't help.
His main purpose on the team is taking out Water types and Steel/Bug types.

Biological (Reuniclus) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Recover

Reuniclus, feared by almost every wall. This guy does great in sandstorm, both stallbreaking and sometimes even stalling.
The reason I added him to my team, is because the strong fighting types nowadays. Psychic is ment for those,
and focus blast is for the steel types. Calm Mind is to set up and possibly sweep when the opponent isn't prepared,
and I prefered Recover over Shadow Ball, mainly because T-Tar can already handle most psychic types.

EvilPlant (Cradily) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Toxic
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
- Stealth Rock
Cradily, so unknown in OU, and yet such a great Pokémon in Sandstorm.
Cradily is, for whoever doesn't know it, a rock type, so it gains Sp. Def in sandstorm, which makes it a reliable wall.
I also featured a Cradily in my previous team, but with this one I had to give up Energy Ball to make room for Stealth Rock,
but that doesn't matter to me since I still have Toxic. Water types are no problem for this guy anyway, because of Storm Drain.
I kept HP Fire, because it helps me defeating all the Pokémon weak to it. The only one which doesn't bother it is that damn Scizor...

Conclusion

Importable

Hunter (Tyranitar) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Superpower

X-Blade (Metagross) @ Iron Ball
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Trick

Big Boss (Landorus) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 228 Atk / 28 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]

OxiClean (Rotom-W) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP / 252 SAtk / 144 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Pain Split

Biological (Reuniclus) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Recover

EvilPlant (Cradily) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Toxic
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
- Stealth Rock

I liked using this team a lot, I hope all of you do like this team too. As I said before,
it did really well (except against Scizor) and I peaked with a rating of 1166 on Pokémon Online with this team, which is a lot higher as usual.

Anyway, thank you for reading this RMT, I hope you all liked it, if you did, feel free to luvdisc:)
Above are the Importables, for any of you who wants to test run this team and if you have a suggestion I'll be pleased to read it

 

[Shining_Latios]

Hey, interesting team you have here. Right off the bat I suggest using Leftovers over Life Orb on Reuniclus. Life Orb is better on the Trick Room set, while if you are using the Calm Mind set, Reuniclus appreciates the extra recovery each turn. Next, I see Offensive Volcarona plowing through your team. It can set up easily on Reuniclus and proceed to bulldoze past your team. Substitute Volcarona are also a huge threat because they can additionally set up a Substitute on Cradily to block Toxic and it will just go downhill from there. Honestly, I am have to going to suggest slapping on a Choice Scarf over Expert Belt on Landorus. Choice Scarf Landorus gives you a reliable check to Volcarona when it is at +1. It can still clean up foe's with strong power from Sand Force while preventing Volcarona from wrecking your team. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Landorus can effectively scout with U-turn and bring momentum to your team. Landorus's base 101 Speed Stat as well lets it outspeed Choice Scarf Salamence who is a common revenge killer. That's all I have man. Hope I helped and good luck.

 

[Sverre23]

Hey, interesting team you have here. Right off the bat I suggest using Leftovers over Life Orb on Reuniclus. Life Orb is better on the Trick Room set, while if you are using the Calm Mind set, Reuniclus appreciates the extra recovery each turn. Next, I see Offensive Volcarona plowing through your team. It can set up easily on Reuniclus and proceed to bulldoze past your team. Substitute Volcarona are also a huge threat because they can additionally set up a Substitute on Cradily to block Toxic and it will just go downhill from there. Honestly, I am have to going to suggest slapping on a Choice Scarf over Expert Belt on Landorus. Choice Scarf Landorus gives you a reliable check to Volcarona when it is at +1. It can still clean up foe's with strong power from Sand Force while preventing Volcarona from wrecking your team. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Landorus can effectively scout with U-turn and bring momentum to your team. Landorus's base 101 Speed Stat as well lets it outspeed Choice Scarf Salamence who is a common revenge killer. That's all I have man. Hope I helped and good luck.

Thanks for the rate:)
One disadvantage of Leftovers on Reuniclus is Pokémon who can resist one hit and afterwards Roar or Whirlwind it out. I have been doubting a lot about what item I should choose, but still I prefer Life Orb over Leftovers, since I still have Recover for regaining health. And at Choice Scarf Landorus, I think I'll try it out. It will help a lot against Sun teams and as you already said, against Offensive Volcarona. And also Metagross might be prepared for a Salamence locked in Outrage, but when he isn't Landorus can help.
Anyway, I'll see if it works on PO.

 

[Bluwing]

Well this is a nice team but there is some nitpicks around well as ShinyL said Volcarona is dangerous for you, Scarf Landorus will help significantly. Also make Reuniclus a Trick Room set and give it Shadow Ball over Recover, also give both Reuniclous and Cradily 0 Spd ev, this will help you against boosters, give Cradily Giga Drain and HP Rock to take care off Volcarona, Gastrodon and Water mons in general.

 

[Sverre23]

Well this is a nice team but there is some nitpicks around well as ShinyL said Volcarona is dangerous for you, Scarf Landorus will help significantly. Also make Reuniclus a Trick Room set and give it Shadow Ball over Recover, also give both Reuniclous and Cradily 0 Spd ev, this will help you against boosters, give Cradily Giga Drain and HP Rock to take care off Volcarona, Gastrodon and Water mons in general.

On Cradily I haven't got enough space for both Giga Drain and HP Rock... I tested both of those moves out and I prefer Giga Drain over HP Fire and Rock.
Now one thing I'm still doubting about: should I replace Toxic (or Stealth Rock) with HP Rock or not...
Reuniclus worked out well too, I have a feeling it works better than the CM set.
It definitely is usefull comebined with Metagross's and Cradily's low speed.
Thank you for your advice:)

 

[Clure]

I suggest Psyshock over Psychic on Reniculus. Helps deal with Blissey.

Also, I agree that Scarf landorus Is better than Expert.

 

[Sverre23]

I suggest Psyshock over Psychic on Reniculus. Helps deal with Blissey.

Well, I honestly don't think I need that...
I have got Tyranitar with Superpower, Landorus with EQ, and for a Blissey lacking aromatherapy I've got Cradily with Toxic.

 

[Bluwing]

Remember Storm Drain boost your SAtk to +1, Giga Drain will become very strong, im just sayin tho. And nothing to thank about as it is only natural to help each other. :-)