OU Sandstream attempt

[Noppy]

1st off, I haven't been able to try this team out on shoddy yet because I don't have the internet (i'm on a friends comp). But I've tried covering my weaknesses.

The theory is that I thought a sand storm team should involve heavy residual damage, so I've mostly opted for speed enhancing natures to polish of the opponent after taking heavy damage from sandstorm, spikes, stealthrock and toxic or burns.

Tyranitar@Leftovers
6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly, Sand Stream
~ Dragon Dance
~ Crunch
~ Stone Edge
~ Fire Punch

Open with tyranitar to get sand storm rolling. Most likely will get switched out straight away for skarmory. I've found DD tran to be a real monster. Deadly double STAB, and I've opted with fire punch as the 4th move to deal with scizors.


Skarmory@leftovers
252 HP / 72 Def / 184 Spe
Impish, Keen Eye
~ Spikes
~ Toxic
~ Stealth Rocks
~ Whirlwind

Simply starts by setting up SR then spikes. whirlwind chosen over roost because I feel the need for a hazer / pseudo hazer, and with his high defences, skarmory is the only candidate for this team. However, I may have to squeeze brave bird in there to deal with my heracross weakness. If so the EVs may need a juggle.


Cacturne@Bright Powder
252 Atk/ 252 Sp / 4 HP
Jolly, Sand Veil
~ Substitute
~ Sucker Punch
~ Focus Punch
~ Leech Seed

The pokemon I feel least sure about. I'm tempted to replace him with gliscor, but I wouldn't know what move set to give him. Also his grass type will help lure out fire attacks to activate Heatran's flash fire. A very standard set up, with leech seed to make up for SS damage. With bright powder and sand veil, he should hopefully find switching in easier, and set up a sub and maybe leech seed, depending on the foe. Paralysis support from Rotom would also be extremely useful. Help on more specific speed and HP EVs would be helpful.

Rotom, Mow Form@Leftovers
252 HP / 80 Def / 88 SpA / 88 Spe
Modest, Levitiate
~ Thunderwave
~ Thunderbolt
~ Leafstorm
~ WoW?

Considering I'm investing a whole pokemon and potentially 3 turns in spikes and SR, a rapid spinner is essential. Not only that, but I needed someone who can spread paralysis for the sake of Heatran and Cacturne. Thunderbolt hits popular rapid spinners such as blastoise or starmie hard (without reducing my stats), Leafstorm is there for hard hitting, and can hurt donphan and OHKO Swampert nicely. WoW is slightly a filler option, but helps with the residual damage ethos.


Scizor@Leftovers
248 HP / 88 Atk / 172 Spe
Adamant, Technician
~ Baton Pass
~ Swords Dance / Agility
~ Roost
~ Bullet Punch

A standard baton pass setter upper to pass to the sweepers. I would definitely take agility if gliscor was on my team, so I could run Swords dance on him (in fact, then I could run it on cacturne too). Unsure to say the least. I want to keep scizor in board as to seriously lure out the fire attacks for flash fire.


Heatran@ Life Orb
4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid, Flash Fire
~ Flame thrower/Fire Blast
~ Earth Power
~ Explosion
~ HP Electric / Will-O-Wisp

1st off, I'm undecided as to the fire attack, Fire blast would be nice for the damage, but with life orb attached, I cant afford the extra damage from misses, plus it boosts FF nicely. Since she's switching in on fire attacks, EP is there to take on fire types. HP elec would be nice for gyradoes switch ins, but I'm not a fan of the idea of trying to get specific natures, IVs and HP on legendary pokemon. If unnobtainable, WoW is there as filler.


This team is entirely untested, and I am inexperienced in the world of OU, so it's probably crap . Although only one pokemon can start a sand strorm, if it is somehow canceled, all I need do is look for a chance to bring out tyranitar again.

any constructive criticism is appreciated as always. x

 

[Ampy]

If you are using Tyranitar as a lead don't use that set.... try this:

Tyranitar@ Leftovers
Impish Nature
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Sp. Def/4 HP
Stealth Rock
Thunderwave
Stone Edge/Crunch
Earthquake

This gets good coverage, and it's pretty effective. Just watch out for Baton pass Ninjasks and get rid of them right away because they will screw you over.

 

[FlyingFlygon]

1st off, I haven't been able to try this team out on shoddy yet because I don't have the internet (i'm on a friends comp). But I've tried covering my weaknesses.

The theory is that I thought a sand storm team should involve heavy residual damage, so I've mostly opted for speed enhancing natures to polish of the opponent after taking heavy damage from sandstorm, spikes, stealthrock and toxic or burns.

Tyranitar@Leftovers
6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly, Sand Stream
~ Dragon Dance
~ Crunch
~ Stone Edge
~ Fire Punch / Thunder Wave

Open with tyranitar to get sand storm rolling. Most likely will get switched out straight away for skarmory. I've found DD tran to be a real monster. Deadly double STAB, and I've opted with fire punch as the 4th move to deal with scizors.

Thunder Wave. With Heatran, Cacturn, Scarmory, you'll need some way to sweep effectively with their low speeds.

Skarmory@leftovers
252 HP / 72 Def / 184 Spe
Impish, Keen Eye
~ Spikes
~ Toxic
~ Stealth Rocks
~ Whirlwind

Simply starts by setting up SR then spikes. whirlwind chosen over roost because I feel the need for a hazer / pseudo hazer, and with his high defences, skarmory is the only candidate for this team. However, I may have to squeeze brave bird in there to deal with my heracross weakness. If so the EVs may need a juggle.

Good. You could try a classic if you want: Brave Bird, Spikes, Roost, Whirlwind.

Cacturne@Bright Powder
252 Atk/ 252 Sp / 4 HP
Jolly, Sand Veil
~ Substitute
~ Sucker Punch
~ Focus Punch
~ Leech Seed

The pokemon I feel least sure about. I'm tempted to replace him with gliscor, but I wouldn't know what move set to give him. Also his grass type will help lure out fire attacks to activate Heatran's flash fire. A very standard set up, with leech seed to make up for SS damage. With bright powder and sand veil, he should hopefully find switching in easier, and set up a sub and maybe leech seed, depending on the foe. Paralysis support from Rotom would also be extremely useful. Help on more specific speed and HP EVs would be helpful.

Hmmm... Ok, a SubSeedPunch combo. Pretty good. If you use thunder wave to paralyze, your job will be much easier.

Rotom, Mow Form@Leftovers
252 HP / 80 Def / 88 SpA / 88 Spe
Modest, Levitiate
~ Thunderwave
~ Thunderbolt
~ Leafstorm
~ WoW?

Considering I'm investing a whole pokemon and potentially 3 turns in spikes and SR, a rapid spinner is essential. Not only that, but I needed someone who can spread paralysis for the sake of Heatran and Cacturne. Thunderbolt hits popular rapid spinners such as blastoise or starmie hard (without reducing my stats), Leafstorm is there for hard hitting, and can hurt donphan and OHKO Swampert nicely. WoW is slightly a filler option, but helps with the residual damage ethos.

My advice: Don't use rotom. Its base stats are way too low for competitive battling purposes.

Try this:
Gengar@Life Orb
252 Sp Att, 252 Spd
Modest / Timid
-Shadow Ball
-Thunderbolt
-Focus Blast
-Hypnosis

Though grass isn't included any more, its purpose is similar.

Scizor@Leftovers
248 HP / 88 Atk / 172 Spe
Adamant, Technician
~ Baton Pass
~ Swords Dance / Agility
~ Roost
~ Bullet Punch

A standard baton pass setter upper to pass to the sweepers. I would definitely take agility if gliscor was on my team, so I could run Swords dance on him (in fact, then I could run it on cacturne too). Unsure to say the least. I want to keep scizor in board as to seriously lure out the fire attacks for flash fire.

Hmm... It depends on who you want to baton pass to. Ok, though.

Heatran@ Choice Scarf
4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid, Flash Fire
~ Flame thrower/Fire Blast
~ Dragon Pulse
~ Explosion
~ Earth Power

1st off, I'm undecided as to the fire attack, Fire blast would be nice for the damage, but with life orb attached, I cant afford the extra damage from misses, plus it boosts FF nicely. Since she's switching in on fire attacks, EP is there to take on fire types. HP elec would be nice for gyradoes switch ins, but I'm not a fan of the idea of trying to get specific natures, IVs and HP on legendary pokemon. If unnobtainable, WoW is there as filler.

Your team really needs a choicer. Choice Heatran can destroy a lot, even against waters and can outspeed an unbeliveable amount of pokemon.

This team is entirely untested, and I am inexperienced in the world of OU, so it's probably crap . Although only one pokemon can start a sand strorm, if it is somehow canceled, all I need do is look for a chance to bring out tyranitar again.

any constructive criticism is appreciated as always. x

Suggestions in bold.

 

[Ampy]

1st off, I haven't been able to try this team out on shoddy yet because I don't have the internet (i'm on a friends comp). But I've tried covering my weaknesses.

The theory is that I thought a sand storm team should involve heavy residual damage, so I've mostly opted for speed enhancing natures to polish of the opponent after taking heavy damage from sandstorm, spikes, stealthrock and toxic or burns.

Tyranitar@Leftovers
6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly, Sand Stream
~ Dragon Dance
~ Crunch
~ Stone Edge
~ Fire Punch

Open with tyranitar to get sand storm rolling. Most likely will get switched out straight away for skarmory. I've found DD tran to be a real monster. Deadly double STAB, and I've opted with fire punch as the 4th move to deal with scizors.

I gave you a set for TTar already...

Skarmory@leftovers
252 HP / 72 Def / 184 Spe
Impish, Keen Eye
~ Spikes
~ Brave Bird
~ Roost
~ Whirlwind

Simply starts by setting up SR then spikes. whirlwind chosen over roost because I feel the need for a hazer / pseudo hazer, and with his high defences, skarmory is the only candidate for this team. However, I may have to squeeze brave bird in there to deal with my heracross weakness. If so the EVs may need a juggle.

Won't need SR with TTar there... this is standard

Cacturne@Bright Powder
252 Atk/ 252 Sp / 4 HP
Jolly, Sand Veil
~ Substitute
~ Sucker Punch
~ Focus Punch
~ Leech Seed

The pokemon I feel least sure about. I'm tempted to replace him with gliscor, but I wouldn't know what move set to give him. Also his grass type will help lure out fire attacks to activate Heatran's flash fire. A very standard set up, with leech seed to make up for SS damage. With bright powder and sand veil, he should hopefully find switching in easier, and set up a sub and maybe leech seed, depending on the foe. Paralysis support from Rotom would also be extremely useful. Help on more specific speed and HP EVs would be helpful.

Standard and he's as annoying as hell with BrightPowder and Sand Veil

Rotom, Fan Form@Leftovers
252 HP / 80 Def / 88 SpA / 88 Spe
Modest, Levitiate
~ Thunderwave
~ Thunderbolt
~ Air Slash
~ WoW?

Considering I'm investing a whole pokemon and potentially 3 turns in spikes and SR, a rapid spinner is essential. Not only that, but I needed someone who can spread paralysis for the sake of Heatran and Cacturne. Thunderbolt hits popular rapid spinners such as blastoise or starmie hard (without reducing my stats), Leafstorm is there for hard hitting, and can hurt donphan and OHKO Swampert nicely. WoW is slightly a filler option, but helps with the residual damage ethos.

I highly suggest Fan form, for it's good Defenses and Sp. Atk...

Scizor@Leftovers
248 HP / 88 Atk / 172 Spe
Adamant, Technician
~ Baton Pass
~ Swords Dance / Agility
~ Roost
~ Bullet Punch

A standard baton pass setter upper to pass to the sweepers. I would definitely take agility if gliscor was on my team, so I could run Swords dance on him (in fact, then I could run it on cacturne too). Unsure to say the least. I want to keep scizor in board as to seriously lure out the fire attacks for flash fire.

Fine... Don't see much need for it, but It's ok

Heatran@ Life Orb
4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid, Flash Fire
~ Flame thrower/Fire Blast
~ Earth Power
~ Explosion
~ HP Electric / Will-O-Wisp

1st off, I'm undecided as to the fire attack, Fire blast would be nice for the damage, but with life orb attached, I cant afford the extra damage from misses, plus it boosts FF nicely. Since she's switching in on fire attacks, EP is there to take on fire types. HP elec would be nice for gyradoes switch ins, but I'm not a fan of the idea of trying to get specific natures, IVs and HP on legendary pokemon. If unnobtainable, WoW is there as filler.

Fine, but Swampert will kill you if use this set... you could try HP Grass over HP Electric since most things that will be threats to this guy, won't be tooken down with HP electric anyways...

This team is entirely untested, and I am inexperienced in the world of OU, so it's probably crap . Although only one pokemon can start a sand strorm, if it is somehow canceled, all I need do is look for a chance to bring out tyranitar again.

any constructive criticism is appreciated as always. x

Your team looks pretty Swampert weak, but this will do....

 

[Rezon]

lol you all try to rate and fail miserably.

Hers a gift boys and girls.

 

[Noppy]

Thanks for the Ttar build ampy, I like.

Is it pretty unanimous that toxic should be sacrificed for brave bird? It would reduce my Heracross weakness nicely.

All rotom forms have the same stats don't they? I dont see an advantage of changing to fan form, thus opening making my team very vulnerable to swampert.

Until testing, I'll assume I'm keeping Heatran life orb over scarf... but that may well change after any testing.

I may switch scizor round to being less support, but I'll probably keep baton pass over U-turn so as to past the swords dance boost on to heatran to boost up explosion to OHKO most non-specialised walls.

Thanks for the rates. I'm especially happy with TTar lead suggestion
keep 'em comin if you can be bothered

 

[j-master]

i suggest replacing Cacturne with this Gliscor

Gliscor @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 216 HP / 40 Atk / 252 Spe
-Swords Dance
-Roost
-Earthquake
-Baton Pass

With this Gliscor you can sweep thanks to SD and STAB Earthquake or you can just pass some attack to your other pokes with BP. It has the same ability as Cacturne (sand veil wich is very useful in sandstorm teams) but it has better moves and stats.

 

[dbcb]

is brightpowder a legal item under standard rules?


EDIT:

* No Hax Items

These are all the items that relies on luck to activate. These items are:
Brightpowder, Focus Band, King's Rock, Lax Incense, Quick Claw, and Razor Fang. (Tell me if I missed some).

 

[Digital Love]

I don't recommend leading with Tyranitar, as he's beaten by most common leads these days

Also, Cacturne is actually a great pokemon if you play him right. Honestly, if you're not good at prediction or your team is not focused around him, then I wouldn't attempt it. Otherwise, use this Cacturne over your subseeder

Cacturne @ Salac Berry/Brightpowder
Sand Veil
Adament
252 Att, 252 Spe, 4 HP
-Sucker Punch
-Swords Dance
-Substitute
-Seed Bomb/Brick Break

I don'trecommend Brick Break, as it sacrifices Cacturne's strongest physical STAB move for a little better coverage and the ability to get rid of Reflect. Focus Punch could be used but relying so much on Sub is not recommended.

Basically it's a devastating sweeper even with just +2. (its very easy to max attack when using BP.)

All I'm gonna say for now. GL with the team

 

[Noppy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I can see seed bomb being more useful than leech seed. I am aware the TTar isn't the most reliable lead, but aside from hippoman, theres no other sandstreamers. The tactic with him is to allow his ability to set up the storm, then nearly always switch into skarm.

I was thinking foretress could fit in there over skarm, to throw in toxic spikes, but I think skarm with SD and BP would benefit the team more. Can't really say anyhting until I test it though.

Thanks again

 

[Noppy]

Reposting the team with appropraite changes. Edits in BOLD

The theory is that I thought a sand storm team should involve heavy residual damage, so I've mostly opted for speed enhancing natures to polish of the opponent after taking heavy damage from sandstorm, spikes, stealthrock and toxic (The team no longer includes toxic. As much as I would like it, I can't see any room to put it except maybe to replace either rotom's or Heatran's WoW?)or burns.

Tyranitar@Leftovers
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Sp. Def/4 HP
Jolly, Sand Stream
~ Stealth Rock
~ Crunch
~ Earthquake
~ Thunderwave

Open with tyranitar to get sand storm rolling. Most likely will get switched out straight away for skarmory. Thunderwave to support heatran and cacturne, and set up stealthrock if he can, credit to Ampy


Skarmory@leftovers
252 HP / 72 Def / 184 Spe
Impish, Keen Eye
~ Spikes
~ Brave bird
~ Roost
~ Whirlwind

Simply starts by setting up pikes. whirlwind to pseudo haze. The addition of brave bird helps cover my team's Heracross weakness


Cacturne@Bright Powder (or salac if powder is banned... no fair!)
252 Atk/ 252 Sp / 4 HP
Jolly, Sand Veil
~ Substitute
~ Sucker Punch
~ Focus Punch
~ Seed Bomb

The pokemon I feel least sure about. I'm tempted to replace him with gliscor, but I wouldn't know what move set to give him. Also his grass type will help lure out fire attacks to activate Heatran's flash fire. A very standard subber set up, with seed bomb for less situational offence . With bright powder and sand veil, he should hopefully find switching in easier, and set up a sub and maybe leech seed, depending on the foe. Paralysis support from Rotom would also be extremely useful. Help on more specific speed and HP EVs would be helpful.

Rotom, Mow Form@Leftovers
252 HP / 80 Def / 88 SpA / 88 Spe
Modest, Levitiate
~ Thunderwave
~ Thunderbolt
~ Leafstorm
~ WoW?

Considering I'm investing a whole pokemon and potentially 3 turns in spikes and SR, a rapid spinner is essential. Not only that, but I needed someone who can spread paralysis for the sake of Heatran and Cacturne. Thunderbolt hits popular rapid spinners such as blastoise or starmie hard (without reducing my stats), Leafstorm is there for hard hitting, and can hurt donphan and OHKO Swampert nicely. WoW is slightly a filler option, but helps with the residual damage ethos.


Scizor@Leftovers
248 HP / 88 Atk / 172 Spe
Adamant, Technician
~ Baton Pass
~ Swords Dance / Agility
~ Roost
~ Bullet Punch

A standard baton pass setter upper to pass to the sweepers. I would definitely take agility if gliscor was on my team, so I could run Swords dance on him (in fact, then I could run it on cacturne too). Unsure to say the least. I want to keep scizor in board as to seriously lure out the fire attacks for flash fire.


Heatran@ Life Orb
4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid, Flash Fire
~ Flame thrower/Fire Blast
~ Earth Power
~ Explosion
~ HP Electric / Will-O-Wisp

1st off, I'm undecided as to the fire attack, Fire blast would be nice for the damage, but with life orb attached, I cant afford the extra damage from misses, plus it boosts FF nicely. Since she's switching in on fire attacks, EP is there to take on fire types. HP elec would be nice for gyradoes switch ins, but I'm not a fan of the idea of trying to get specific natures, IVs and HP on legendary pokemon. If unnobtainable, WoW is there as filler.


Thanks to everyone for their help

 

[Ampy]

Thanks for the Ttar build ampy, I like.

Is it pretty unanimous that toxic should be sacrificed for brave bird? It would reduce my Heracross weakness nicely.

All rotom forms have the same stats don't they? I dont see an advantage of changing to fan form, thus opening making my team very vulnerable to swampert.

Until testing, I'll assume I'm keeping Heatran life orb over scarf... but that may well change after any testing.

I may switch scizor round to being less support, but I'll probably keep baton pass over U-turn so as to past the swords dance boost on to heatran to boost up explosion to OHKO most non-specialised walls.

Thanks for the rates. I'm especially happy with TTar lead suggestion
keep 'em comin if you can be bothered

The Rotom appliances have all the same stat, but normal Rotom has worse stats... scratch that stay with your Rotom, because you won't be as vulnerable to Swampert with it.

If you are using TTar as a lead use that set :/

But I would suggest Hippowdon over TTar for a Sandstorm Lead

 

[Noppy]

rotom was always specified to be mow form

If I were to use Hippowdon, what movesets would you suggest? something aong the lines of;
Hippowdon@Leftovers
Impish, Sandstream
252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SpD
Stealth Rock
Earthquake
Toxic/Crunch
Slack off/Crunch?

and what are the real advantages of Hippowdon over TTar? aside from he can slack of to restore HP? I'm not being disagreeable, it's just I'm not very familiar with OU metagame and I'm not sure of the major lead threats to Ttar of hippow.

 

[Ampy]

Common leads like Infernape will destroy TTar.... Taunt leads are probably the best checks for LeadTar. Hippowdon, can't be OHKOed by LeadApe, and Taunt doesn't mess him up as much.

Try this for a Hippowdon lead:

Hippowdon@Leftovers
Impish
Sandstream
EVs: 252 HP/168 Def/88 Sp. Def
Stealth Rock
Earthquake
Slack Off
Toxic/Roar/Ice Fang

 

[Noppy]

good point my friend. Upon you mentioning it, this team was pretty darn infernape weak.
as much as I hate to say it (I've been in the process of breeding tar for a couple of hours now), tar has to go.

you've been a great help my friend, I just wish someone had said that sooner

EDIT: probably best to go with ice fang to counter gliscor leads?

 

[Ampy]

I don't think you should completely get rid of TTar... he's probably the best OU Tank... speed being his only underwhelming stat.

Ice fang is there for Gliscor yes... although unless Gliscor has Ice Fang itself it isn't really a threat to Hippowdon.

Rotom takes care of your Infernape weakness anyways. But, it's not good when your lead doesn't even get to do anything... you could try replacing something for ScarfTar? I'd suggest Skarmory, as TTar has good defense and better Sp. Def especially in a Sandstorm.

Tyranitar@ Choice Scarf
Jolly Nature
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Speed/4 HP
Ice Punch
Earthquake
Stone Edge/Crunch
ThunderPunch

Physical variation of a BoltBeam set. The two elemental punches get great coverage. Probably go for Crunch over Stone Edge, because in some ways it's redundant with the punches.

 

[Noppy]

Its a tossup between replacing skarm or scizor. skarmory sets up spikes and covers heracross, where as scizor boosts cacturne to becoming usable and would be very effective for boosting a choice scarf TTar.

However, if I went with Dragon dance tar, a swords dance pass would be less needed. But without sciz... cactune may struggle, unless I can replace one of his moves (focus punch?) with SD.

Damn I hate how complex it all becomes when you get down to the nitty gritty final details

 

[Ampy]

Replace leech seed for SD on Cacturne.... Cacturne isn't as great when it's a SubSeedPuncher IMO.... due to it's bad speed and horrible defenses. But I guess it works well with Sand Veil and BrightPowder...

Seed Bomb is probably the best choice for Cacturne but this set will probably fit better with your team if you are using ScarfTar:

Cacturne@Bright Powder
Adamant Nature
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Speed/4 HP
Sucker Punch
Substitute
Focus Punch/Seed Bomb
Swords Dance

No need in a Jolly nature since it's speed sucks anyways... might as well boost it's good attack

 

[Noppy]

it was already replaced with seed bomb
but I suppose I can drop focus punch, add swords dance, lose scizor, and through tyranitar back in the mix. and yeah, adamant, good shout

thanks for all your help, but I think it'll all need testing before anymore rates or suggestions can continue