Sand Enduring Territory - Taylor     
IntroductionI started building this team a couple of months back because I was keen to playtest the new Dream World metagame, and I knew that to challenge for top spot on the DW Ladder in order pass for voting requirements, a solid Sand/Rain offensive team would be the best way to achieve such a feat. I felt there weren't as many people trying through the earlier stages of the first stage of DW, as I found myself in the top 10 in a matter of no time whatsoever. There was a spell where I dropped down to dissapointing #30th after my unsuccessful "Rain-troll" team, consisting of Politoed, Keldeo, Garchomp, Breloom, Thundurus and Genesect. I reverted back to sand in pursuit of those [RS] users and one or two council members near the top. The main strategy is to easily summon your weather (SashTtar) and lure out their Politoed; I then proceed to sack Chandelure after delivering Shadow Ball/Energy Ball before it faints, so my Tyranitar can then Pursuit Politoed before it gets a chance to escape. From there, it was down to Excadrill, Blaziken and Garchomp to abuse SandStream and put the opponent under enough pressure he/she cannot begin to execute their own "plan of action". Note: I have tested Keldeo/Breloom over Genesect but prefer the extra Focus Sash user and its coverage to do lots of damage prior to whipping out a sandstorm. I've switched positions with mostwanted, brii and, on occasion, Frizy... all fighting for 1st place. The Team
Tyranitar @ Focus Sash The spread is your run-in-the-mill 252/252 spread, expecting enemy TTar leads; so I raised my Tyranitar's Speed to accommodate for that. If I was up against Rain, I'd usually lead with Genesect instead. I can save Tyranitar at 1HP if necessary because Excadrill's Rapid Spin can be vitally important.
Genesect @ Focus Sash By the time I came back around to remaking Genesect, I had still yet to reach first place. Focus Sash Genesect has the move variety that hits so many targets for super effective damage, with Download boosting your elemental attacks or U-turn. I stopped using Genesect and switched to Focus Sash Garchomp, with Keldeo in its place. However, when I'd use Garchomp to lead against [RS] user with SashGenesect, I'd get frozen or they'd simply U-turn out to Chandelure. He wasn't using Naive on his Genesect, to which I figured would help me prosper when I'd use my own; they'd Flamethrower me thinking I wasn't Focus Sash (instead, Choice Scarf) but would lose because I could U-turn due to being faster on the second turn. It was then when I decided that I'd revert back to Salac Berry Chomp, rely on Chandelure and Genesect to gape holes in physical defenses.
Blaziken @ Air Balloon I wouldn't use Blaziken without either Protect or Baton Pass in Dream World. I've used all kinds of Blaziken before, yet this one is without a doubt the most effective set. After one Swords Dance, those calculations don't do justice for just how big of a performer Blaziken is. Protect is handy for checking yourself against other Blaziken, but Hi Jump Kick is sin as much as it can be a saint. Should you use your own Chandelure correctly, Blaziken should be getting at least one kill per game and if not, you're doing it horribly wrong. It's dual-stab's Base Power are exceptionally great, which is why usually most of us choose Adamant over Jolly; that, and personally I'm not aware of Jolly Blaziken's figures seeing as without Chandelure, it's very easily walled.
Garchomp @ Salac Berry The first Garchomp set that came to my mind in Dream World was BrightPowder, and for unmistakable reasons. Considering strongly whether or not I could rely on such a cheap tactic for success, I opted for a fresh item in Salac Berry to ensure I could outspeed the metagame (bar Deoxys-S, Excadrill and Protect-lucky Blaziken) and proceed to sweep. If there was one moveset I would consider changing, it is definitely this one though. Dragon Claw lacks the power versus the bulkiest of checks and ones which resist Earthquake are a nightmare to deal with. Regenerator Amoongus + Shed Shell (props to brii) was tanking this for fun and escaped all Chandelure attempts to collar it.
Chandelure @ Choice Scarf I don't think there is a better Choice Scarf user in Dream World. Whether Chandelure + Shadow Tag is broken remains a mystery until us council members gather together and discuss his position on the grander scale of things. Unless Blaziken is running Flare Blitz, Stealth Rock and is equipped with a Swords Dance boost (or Baton Pass), you're Blaziken troubles are comfortably dealt with. It's sufficient at dealing enough damage to Politoed prior to calling upon Tyranitar and Pursuit-trapping Politoed so I control the weather.
Excadrill @ Air Balloon Excadrill was chosen as 1/3 of the team's sweeper core. It has trouble with Air Balloon users outside of the common Skamory/Gliscor (former carries Shed Shell), but one of Dream World's fastest threats means it's very versatile and can be saved until a Swords Dance opportunity arises itself. Breloom has to be caught by Chandelure before I attempt to sweep. I have used Jolly, but prefer Adamant to hit Skamory harder and hope for a flinch. Importable |