The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm (Update 3)

R

Rally

Aspiring Trainer
Member
Hi everyone, this is my first RMT that I've posted! And pretty much full-fledged OU competitive battling team ever. I've payed some competitive before, but first time with this tier. I've only been in the competitive battling for around 3 months, so criticism and complements would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

[animate]tyranitar[/animate][animate]heatran[/animate][animate]gliscor[/animate][animate]lucario[/animate][animate]rotom-w[/animate][animate]celebi[/animate]​


And that's the team!​


tyranitar_used_scary_face_by_ligernekoka-d37momm.jpg
ART BY: LigerNekoka
The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm
[animate]tyranitar[/animate]
Recomended by TPO3
EVS: 252 Atk, 4 SpD, 252 Spe
Ability: Sand Stream
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Jolly
Moveset:
Stone Edge
Crunch
Pursuit
Superpower

The basis of any Sandstorm team is a Sand Stream Pokemon. I changed Hippowdon to Tyranitar, as Tyranitar can also cover for Ghost types.

[animate]heatran[/animate]
EVS: 252 SpA, 4 SpD, 252 Spe
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Air Ballon
Nature: Rash
Moveset:
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Hidden Power Grass
Stealth Rock

With already high Special Attack, this Pokemon makes a great revenge killer. Coming in the OU with very good speed for a bulky Pokemon makes a great addition. It's high Special Attack really helped with this decision. Hidden Power (Grass) for coverage.

[animate]gliscor[/animate]
CONSIDERING SKARMORY/MAMOSWINE?
EVS: 252 HP, 184 Def, 72 Spe
Ability: Poison Heal
Item: Toxic Orb
Nature: Impish
Moveset:
Ice Fang
Earthquake
Roost
Protect

Gliscor is another great support with high defense. I'll be using him more defensively.

[animate]lucario[/animate]
EVS: 252 Atk, 4 SpD, 252 Spe
Ability: Justified
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Adamant
Moveset:
Swords Dance
Close Combat
ExtremeSpeed
Bullet Punch > Crunch

Lucario, one of the most well known, and in my opinion, one of the best sweepers of the metagame. It's high Attack and Special Attack give it the chance to shine in both Physical and Special moves.

[animate]rotom-w[/animate]
Recommended by AoH
EVS: 252 HP, 184 Def, 72 Spe
Ability: Levitate
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Modest
Moveset:
Hydro Pump
Volt-Switch
Thunder Wave > Will-O-Wisp
Pain Split

As a sub for Magnezone, Rotom was a better disciseon. After testing it out, Rotom is great support for Heatran. It was a great switch in in the battles I played.

[animate]celebi[/animate]
EVS: 4 Def, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
Ability: Natural Cure
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Timid
Moveset:
Nasty Plot
Giga Drain
Recover > Psychic
Psychic

Was having a lot of trouble with the moves, then I finally decided on Nasty Plot Celebi. Nothing really to say here, works really well with the team.

[animate]magnezone[/animate]
EVS: 4 Atk, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
Ability: Magnet Pull
Item:Choice Scarf
Nature: Naive
Moveset:
Thunderbolt > Thunder
Hidden Power (Fire)
Flash Cannon
Explosion

[animate]skarmory[/animate]
EVS: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
Moveset:
Spikes
Whirlwind
Roost

[animate]hippowdon[/animate]
EVS: 252 HP, 4 Def, 252 SpD
Ability: Sand Stream
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful
Moveset:
Slack Off
Earthquake
Sleath Rock
Whirlwind
Brave Bird > Stealth Rock


[animate]rotom-w[/animate]
EVS: 232 HP, 56 SpA, 220 Spe
Ability: Levitate
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Modest
Moveset:
Hydro Pump
Volt-Switch
Thunder Wave > Will-O-Wisp
Pain Split

[animate]celebi[/animate]
EVS: 252 HP, 220 SpD, 36 Spe
Ability: Natural Cure
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Calm
Moveset:
Moveset:
Protect
Giga Drain > Psychic
Baton Pass > Recover
Perish Song > Thunder Wave

[animate]tyranitar[/animate]
EVS: 252 HP, 4 Def, 252 SpD
Ability: Sand Stream
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Jolly
Moveset:
Stone Edge
Crunch
Pursuit
Superpower
Changes in bold. Thanks to everyone for the current help. Appreciate it!
​
 
RE: The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm (First OU)

Hello Suitcune. Please make note that Sand Veil is banned from competitive play. Until you change it this will be treated and rated as an Ubers team.
 
RE: The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm (First OU)

Thanks. I didn't notice that. I guess I put it there when I was looking at a different Pokemon.
 
RE: The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm (First OU)

First, can Hippowdon learn Whirlwind? Or you confused it with Roar?
Now, generally speaking. You have a pretty bad weakness to Ground. Two of your Pokemon have a 4x weakness to it, which is not good considering Ground is one of the most used offensive types. You might want to consider replacing one of your Scarfs with an Air Balloon.

I suggest picking Fire Blast over Flamethrower on Heatran. It's mostly a matter of preference, but 85% accuracy isn't such a hefty price to pay for almost 40 more power (with STAB).

You can also use Protect over Roost on Gliscor to stall your enemies off, however that's again personal choice.

Finally, Skarmory. My opinion is, pick Brave Bird. It will prevent you from getting taunted out, and it's a quite powerful move even with Skarmory's average-to-low Attack. Also, change the item to Leftovers for more survivability.
 
RE: The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm (First OU)

Suitcune said:
Tyranitar
EVS: 252 HP, 152 Def, 104 SpD
Ability: Sand Stream
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
Moveset:
Slack Off
Earthquake
Stealth Rock
Whirlwind

The basis of any Sandstorm team is a Sand Stream Pokemon. I think Hippowdon has the potential to be the one, it just needs some support. This Pokemon is one I specifically paired with Skarmory, as they both have high defensive stats. Setting up the Stream and then sending in Skarmory was my main plan, as I wanted to use both as Skarmory's entry hazards as a offensive weapon. This combo would be pretty deadly in my opinion, as of Skarmory not taking any Sandstorm damage, high defense and entry hazards. With both have good defense, they can fill in relative spots for each other.

This looks very good, but you should really go for a pure physical wall or dump all of the EVs into SDef. 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef w/ Impish (Careful will tank special attacks better) is best because it offers the best mixed defenses, avoids a few OHKOs and 2HKOs from Volcarona, LO Latias, Thundurus-T and Jolteon, and fares much better against the other weather starters. It's probably the best spread for it in this meta, as it also drastically lowers the chances of a 2HKO from Modest Landorus-I. You could use Ice Fang over Whirlwind for him, but it will only do just over 75%. At least it gives you a means of weakening him to finish him with Lucario's Extremespeed, as this team is weak to him (as most teams are).

Heatran
EVS: 252 SpA, 4 SpD. 252 Spe
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Rash
Moveset:
Fire Blast
EarthPower
Explosion
Dragon Pulse > Hidden Power (Grass)

With already high Special Attack, this Pokemon makes a great revenge killer. Coming in the OU with very good speed for a bulky Pokemon makes a great addition. Flamethrower is for STAB, better accuracy than Fire Blast. Same goes for Earth Power STAB. I decided to go with Dragon Pulse instead of Hidden Power (Grass) because of the popular walls of Haxorus and Draginite. It's high Special Attack really helped with this decision.

Please change the Rash nature to a Timid nature to get the most out of your Choice Scarf. Rash does little for you, lowering your SDef too. You should also run HP Ice over Dragon Pulse because the majority of Dragons you aim to get rid of (Dragonite) are 4x weak to it. And don't even bother with Explosion on Heatran. It only works in 4th Gen. Use Flash Cannon over that as an extra STAB and easier way to get through Kyurem-B.

Gliscor
EVS: 252 HP, 4 Def, 252 Spe
Ability: Poison Heal
Item: Toxic Orb
Nature: Impish
Moveset:
Stealth Rock
Earthquake
Roost
U-Turn

Gliscor is another great support with high defense. A I gave him the lead moveset, his strategy is supposed to going in after Skarmory. This is because of it also relatively high Defense, and giving it U-Turn would always give me the chance to send back in one of its other teammates, either Skarmory or Hippowdon. It can also set up Swords Dance for my Lucario. All around good guy.

Very creative set. I see that you're a fan of the huge speedcreeping Gliscors. I would suggest changing the EV spread to 248 HP / 24 Def / 236 Spe, with the same nature, because that's as much speed as you need (trust me). This hits 286 Speed, which puts you ahead of Haxorus, Jolly Dragonite, and everything your opponent expects to outspeed it. Also, you could get rid of SR on this because Hippowdon has it, then give it Substitute and change Roost to Protect. Obviously, I would also change U-turn to Toxic in that case, because SubToxic Gliscor is the most annoying thing since the paperclip helper. If you don't want SubToxic, I would change SR to Taunt, but either way, use the EV spread I gave you. No one runs more speed than that.

Lucario
EVS: 252 Atk, 4 SpD, 252 Spe
Ability: Inner Focus
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Jolly
Moveset:
Swords Dance
Close Combat
ExtremeSpeed
Crunch > Bullet Punch > Stone Edge

Lucario, one of the most well known, and in my opinion, best sweepers of the metagame. It's high Attack and Special Attack give it the chance to shine in both Physical and Special moves. Swords Dance is for the boosting of his Attack. Close Combat is for STAB. ExtremeSpeed because it sounds fast :). I also chose to go with Crunch over Bullet Punch because I have ExtremeSpeed.

Very nice as always, but Stone Edge is not an option for Lucario. It has no merits coverage-wise, and Lucario already has deadly 4mss. I like Bullet Punch because it finishes off Terrakion, who could otherwise OHKO you even if you were at +2. If Jellicent and Slowbro and Reuniclus are pains, then Crunch will be your friend. The latter two are very rare though, so I would go BP. Also, Inner Focus is rarely used to any effect except for Jirachi, who also paralyzes you, so you could use Justified over it to get in on a Dark attack and get a free Atk boost. You just need a dark-weak teammate if you do this.

Magnezone
EVS: 4 Atk, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
Ability: Magnet Pull
Item:Choice Scarf
Nature: Naive
Moveset:
Thunderbolt > Thunder
Hidden Power (Fire)
Flash Cannon
Explosion

Magnezone's Special Attack is what really drew me and most of the OU teams to him. I decided to go with Thunderbolt over Thunder because of its accuracy, but still thinking about it because of its ability to OHKO almost any Pokemon that doesn't have a Resistance to it. Flash Canon also for STAB, and Explosion to finish the job.

I don't see how Magnezone really fits here. You don't really need to trap any steels, as Heatran does that for you. Seeing as you have trouble with Landorus, Fire and Water attacks, I would recommend switching to a Rotom-W in this slot. You don't really need a second scarfer due to Heatran, so a simple SDef set would help. 248 HP / 28 SAtk / 232 SDef with a Calm nature. The SAtk EVs get you an OHKO on most Gliscors. The moves are Hydro Pump, Volt Switch (Thunderbolt, if you want, can go here instead), Will-O-Wisp, and your choice of using Pain Split (with Leftovers as the held item) or Rest (with Chesto Berry as the held item). Either will allow good recovery, and you need it when you use Rotom-W in sand. Then again, you could always use a more offensive spread like 208 HP / 252 SAtk / 48 Spe with Modest, but I forget what that one does. If you do that, a Life Orb could help with Pain Split, as it will heal more off of your Rotom-W due to your lower HP.

Skarmory
EVS: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Impish
Moveset:
Spikes
Whirlwind
Roost
Brave Bird > Stealth Rock

Lastly, Skarmory. I don't really now what I want to do here. I feel like the right choice would to be putting Brave Bird in for STAB, but the attack of Skarmory is just a little to low for my liking, so I wanted it to come in after Hippowdon and set up two different hazards. Really need advice for this one!

I like your use of Skarmory and all, but I feel like Gliscor and Hippowdon do everything you want from Skarm except Spikes. I also feel like this slot could go to something that would help your weakness against Landorus and Thundurus-T, another ubiquitous threat. Due to those two, I would suggest a SDef Celebi in Skarmory's place. 252 HP / 220 SDef / 36 Spe with a Calm nature and Leftovers as your held item. Baton Pass, Giga Drain/Psychic, Recover, and Thunder Wave should work. This is a very standard set, but Baton Pass allows Celebi to not be Pursuit-trapped by Tyranitar or Scizor, who are common partners of Landorus. This set also helps with your Keldeo weakness, which was pretty large.
Click to expand...

My replies are in bold under each Pokemon. You have a very well-built team, but those changes should cover most of your weaknesses. I hope I helped you out!

~AoH
 
RE: The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm (First OU) (Update v2)

Update to the descriptions and moves. Some ideas about Mamoswine? Still having some trouble with Celebis moveset, but I'm using something currently that is working alright for me. Sorry ES no pictures, to messy.
 
RE: The Meteorological Phenomenon of a Sandstorm (First OU) (Update v2)

This seems like a pretty good standard Sandstorm team. You have a great starting point, here. A couple of small things, running defensive Gliscor and defensive Hippowdon on the same team seems really redundant to me. They both are made to counter the exact same pokemon (Terrakion, Lucario, etc.) and they are both weak to the exact same pokemon (Water-types, Ice-types, Pokemon with strong Special Attacks, like Draco Meteor.) I think switching one of them to something that supports Lucario would benefit this team more. Lucario has trouble with Ghosts most of all, so I think switching Hippowdon to Choice Scarf Tyranitar would be more beneficial. It will give your team some extra speed, as well as something that can check Dragon-types before they set up. A set might look like this:

[animate]tyranitar[/animate] @Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Stream
Jolly nature
252 Atk/4 SpDef/252 Spe
~Stone Edge
~Crunch
~Pursuit
~Superpower

Now if you used that set, you'd have 3 choiced pokemon on your team, and you'd be getting rid of stealth rock. To remedy this, I'd suggest changing Heatran to the standard Air Balloon/Stealth Rock set, which looks like this:

[animate]heatra[/animate] @Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
Naive nature
252 SpAtk/4 SpDef/252 Spe
~Fire Blast
~Earth Power
~Hidden Power Grass/Hidden Power Ice
~Stealth Rock

The Hidden power type you choose depends on what moves you choose on your Lucario. If you choose to use Bullet Punch on Lucario, it will have trouble KOing Jellicent, so I'd recommend using Hidden Power Grass on your Heatran, to hit it on the switch. If you opt for Crunch on Lucario, however, it should not have any problems taking down Jellicent, so I'd use Hidden Power Ice on Heatran, making it a check to Landorus, Salamence, and Dragonite before its Air Balloon breaks.

On Gliscor, I'd only recommend a slight shift. I'd run an EV Spread of 252 Hp/184 Def/72 Spe alongside an Impish nature. I'd also change Taunt to Ice Fang, so you can hit Dragon-types like Dragonite for big damage, and I'd also change U-turn to Protect, so you can get extra health back with Poison Heal.

The Rotom is good. I actually like Thunder Wave over Will-o-Wisp a lot on this team. Since Lucario doesn't have the /best/ speed in the world, slowing the opposing team down will help a lot. Especially since a lot of Pokémon that normally switch into Rotom are naturally fast Pokemon, like Latias and Latios.

The Celebi looks pretty good too. I'd make the moveset on Specially Defensive Celebi something like Giga Drain/Recover/Perish Song/Thunder Wave. I like Thunder Wave on Celebi for the same reason I like it on Rotom. You could try Hidden Power Fire, although the two pokemon it is normally used to KO (Ferrothorn and Scizor) are taken care of by the rest of your team. The only thing I'd beware of is that Specially Defensive Celebi gives up a lot of momentum, and it stresses Rotom and Heatran to switch in repeatedly. If you find this is an issue though, you can always switch it to a Nasty Plot Celebi instead, which would give it much more offensive power.
 
Update:
Way simpler descriptions (tell me if they are too simple)
Change start to "At a Glance"
New Pokemon and Movesets
Art By: This Pro: LigerNekoka
 
Not exactly up for the second full critique yet, but following up on TPO3's discussion of the SDef Celebi and its momentum issues, you could fit Baton Pass on it to provide some momentum and escape Tyranitar's Pursuit, go to Lucario, get a Justified boost and SD as it switches. Result: Momentum and a +3 Lucario with Extremespeed and Bullet Punch. Profit if you ask me. Also, please switch to an Adamant Nature on Lucario. Jolly does nothing but reduce your power iirc.

~AoH
 
^Ah yes, use Adamant on Lucario. I completely missed that the first time.

Also, HP Ice and Ice Fang are not the same at all. HP Ice is a Special attack, while Ice Fang is a physical one, so Ice Fang is going to do WAY more damage if you are using Gligar.
 
TPO3 said:
^Ah yes, use Adamant on Lucario. I completely missed that the first time.

Also, HP Ice and Ice Fang are not the same at all. HP Ice is a Special attack, while Ice Fang is a physical one, so Ice Fang is going to do WAY more damage if you are using Gligar.
Click to expand...

You meant Gliscor not Gligar, right? I hope...
 
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