Hey guys :)
So this is my first thread here on the RMT forum. I have played TSS (Toxic/Spikes/Sandstorm)-teams since forever now, and even though I'm aware they're not top tier right now, I just can't give up on them because of nostalgia-reasons, and would now like to know what others think of the current incarnation that I'm playing atm.
I'll break this thread down into several parts to keep it as clean and understandable as possible:
1) General overview of what I'm trying to achieve with the team:
For those that haven't been playing back then, or need a little refreshment, TSS teams are basically a form of stall. You want a lot of tanky and resilient pokemon that are able to check and outlast a plenty of threats. Your "win condition" is to wear down the enemy team by using residual damage from hazard stacking, PHazing and status inflictions, while keeping your own team healthy. What distinguishes TSS teams from "regular" sand teams is that you don't use the sand turns to boost a sweeper, but take the sand as an additional source of residual damage to supplement hazard and statuses, and what distinguishes them from regular stall is that you mostly use pokemon that are not negatively affected by sand themselves.
2) Current teamlist:
3) Explanations behind pokemon and their sets
Here, I'll try to give a small explanation as to why I'm using the pokemon that I'm using and what I want them to do.
Hippowdon: Obvious choice. It's the defensive one of the 2 sand setters, a mixed wall, reliable recovery, SR setter and PHazer.
Chansey: Special wall and cleric to keep my team healthy and clear of status alignments. Can also help weear down people with toxic. (Small addition: I don't think I need wish, since most of my pokemon have recovery themselves, although I might be wrong here)
Skarmory: Physicall wall, spike setter, PHazer, not affected by sand. Also Brave Bird to get rid of bulky grass types that provide a problem to the rest of the team.
M-Sableye: Mixed wall, 2 insanely good abilities to either get priority burns to cripple physical attackers, and to block enemy entry hazards. Also recovery, and the incredibly important Knock Off.
Excadrill: Not use as a sweeper on this team, but as a spinner, hence mold breaker instead of sand rush to not be affected by spinblockers. A spinner is obviously preferred over a defogger on this kind of team, and together with Sableye, you control the hazard game.
Suicune: Bulky water type that checks a lot of enemy water types that would otherwise trouble the whole team. Also gives at least SOME offensive presence on the team and can PHaze.
4) Additional thoughts or additions to the team
I was testing several other pokemon on this team, with more or less good effects (mostly depending on enemy comps). Some of those were Magnezone to trap steels, Swampert/Tentacruel/Slowbro instead of the Suicune (Swampert not affected by sand, also better offense. Tentacruel another form of hazards with TSpikes and can spin too. Slowbro is love), and Ferrothorn instead of Skarmory with Bulky Talonflame instead of the Bulky Water type (to still be able to check both water AND grass types).
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I'd be really interested in what other people think of both the general idea of the team, and my current incarnation. I'm open to any form of constructive criticism, thought processes and input :) Already thanks a lot for all of your replies.
Sart
So this is my first thread here on the RMT forum. I have played TSS (Toxic/Spikes/Sandstorm)-teams since forever now, and even though I'm aware they're not top tier right now, I just can't give up on them because of nostalgia-reasons, and would now like to know what others think of the current incarnation that I'm playing atm.
I'll break this thread down into several parts to keep it as clean and understandable as possible:
1) General overview of what I'm trying to achieve with the team:
For those that haven't been playing back then, or need a little refreshment, TSS teams are basically a form of stall. You want a lot of tanky and resilient pokemon that are able to check and outlast a plenty of threats. Your "win condition" is to wear down the enemy team by using residual damage from hazard stacking, PHazing and status inflictions, while keeping your own team healthy. What distinguishes TSS teams from "regular" sand teams is that you don't use the sand turns to boost a sweeper, but take the sand as an additional source of residual damage to supplement hazard and statuses, and what distinguishes them from regular stall is that you mostly use pokemon that are not negatively affected by sand themselves.
2) Current teamlist:
Hippowdon (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind
Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
- Toxic
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Heal Bell
Skarmory (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Spikes
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
Sableye-Mega (F) @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Toxic
Excadrill (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Rest
- Roar
- Sleep Talk
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind
Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
- Toxic
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Heal Bell
Skarmory (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Spikes
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
Sableye-Mega (F) @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Toxic
Excadrill (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Rest
- Roar
- Sleep Talk
3) Explanations behind pokemon and their sets
Here, I'll try to give a small explanation as to why I'm using the pokemon that I'm using and what I want them to do.
Hippowdon: Obvious choice. It's the defensive one of the 2 sand setters, a mixed wall, reliable recovery, SR setter and PHazer.
Chansey: Special wall and cleric to keep my team healthy and clear of status alignments. Can also help weear down people with toxic. (Small addition: I don't think I need wish, since most of my pokemon have recovery themselves, although I might be wrong here)
Skarmory: Physicall wall, spike setter, PHazer, not affected by sand. Also Brave Bird to get rid of bulky grass types that provide a problem to the rest of the team.
M-Sableye: Mixed wall, 2 insanely good abilities to either get priority burns to cripple physical attackers, and to block enemy entry hazards. Also recovery, and the incredibly important Knock Off.
Excadrill: Not use as a sweeper on this team, but as a spinner, hence mold breaker instead of sand rush to not be affected by spinblockers. A spinner is obviously preferred over a defogger on this kind of team, and together with Sableye, you control the hazard game.
Suicune: Bulky water type that checks a lot of enemy water types that would otherwise trouble the whole team. Also gives at least SOME offensive presence on the team and can PHaze.
4) Additional thoughts or additions to the team
I was testing several other pokemon on this team, with more or less good effects (mostly depending on enemy comps). Some of those were Magnezone to trap steels, Swampert/Tentacruel/Slowbro instead of the Suicune (Swampert not affected by sand, also better offense. Tentacruel another form of hazards with TSpikes and can spin too. Slowbro is love), and Ferrothorn instead of Skarmory with Bulky Talonflame instead of the Bulky Water type (to still be able to check both water AND grass types).
----------
I'd be really interested in what other people think of both the general idea of the team, and my current incarnation. I'm open to any form of constructive criticism, thought processes and input :) Already thanks a lot for all of your replies.
Sart
