Fun Sand Stream Team

[Delirious Absol]

I really like to build fun teams that break away from the norm, and this is one I've been working for the past few days and so far I'm having a lot of fun with. Abeit I've only had five matches with it this evening while I took it for a spin and I won four of them. The first I think was more because I find Team Preview a bit hard, and I lost the weather war. Anyway, here it is. Feel free to make suggestions - particularly for Mandibuzz - but I must vito any dragon types or ultra beasts (and Mimikyu, those genie things and their therian forms post Bank). I just don't like them and I won't enjoy using them.

Please note I've not written down individual IVs but they have been IV bred and are to high standards. Perfect where it matters, with 5/6 IVs each, missing the undesired stat.

Primarina - Bel Canto
Ability - Torrent
Modest
Item - Choice Specs
172HP/252SpA/84Spe
Scald
Hydro Pump
Psychic
Moonblast

So far he's the MVP. He can OHKO Kartarna with Scald and take a hit off it quite well (I can't remember if he can take a Leaf Blade however, as I'm not sure if he was hit by one...) But it took me by surprise. That thing must have butter for Special Defense...
Primarina hits like a tank with this set, but isn't a pokemon I'd open up with unless I felt it safe to.

Stoutland - Wuffles
Ability - Sand Rush
Adamant
Item - Choice Band
252Atk/252Spe/4Def
Return
Ice Fang
Psychic Fangs
Wild Charge

So far he's not been bad. He gets a nice spread of coverage moves and has Return for STAB. Ice Fangs doesn't KO Nihilego very well. I learned the hard way I should have locked him into Psychic Fangs instead as it would have done more damage. Still getting used to the UBs and their typings. But damage calcs specified choiced Ice Fangs would OHKO both Garchomp and Salamence (and he'd outspeed them in a sandstorm) so for now he's staying until I can test that fully.

Gigalith - Balboa
Ability - Sand Stream
Adamant
Item - Rockium Z
252HP/252Atk/4Def
Rock Slide
Heavy Slam
Wide Guard
Protect

Stoutlands BFF. (I shamelessly admit I'm copying Shady Penguinn with the move set and held item lol) I'm impressed with how hard this hits with Rock Slide. It also gives Fini and Lele a hard time with Heavy Slam although not KOing them in one hit. He can tank special hits well too thanks to the sandstorm he brings.

Arcanine - Chargrill
Ability - Intimidate
Modest
Item - Safety Goggles
252HP/252SpAtk/4Def
Burn Up
Flamethrower
Snarl
Protect

My answer to Celesteela and Kartarna. He scares Celesteela. If it weren't for the crit in the only battle I had against it, I would know for certain if Burn Up really can OHKO. Damage calcs said yes, it can. Between him and Primarina, I'm no longer scared of those two UBs. Intimidate and Snarl are to annoy stats, really. Works well with his friend...

Tsareena - Compote
Ability - Queenly Majesty
Adamant
Item - Life Orb
252Atk/252Spe (I can't remember where the last bit went...)
Protect
U-Turn
High Jump Kick
Trop Kick

Trop Kick assists Arcanine in getting attack stats low. She gave a Mimikyu a hard time. A very hard time. Queenly Majesty prevented its Shadow Sneak. I don't know if her ability also helps her team mates? I need to check that, but I wasn't counting on it. I just don't know for certain who it was aiming for. However, she's been pulling her weight so far. Although like I said I've only had five battles with this team right now.

Mandibuzz - Femur
Ability - Overcoat
Sassy
Item - Lagging Tail
248HP/136Def/124SpD
Tailwind
U-Turn
Foul Play
Protect

Very much a gimmick. She has no speed investment (except a handful of IVs. 'Decent', I think.) The intention was she would set up a tail wind when I can't open Gigalith/Stoutland. However, I've not used her yet. Lagging Tail was to get off a slow U-Turn for a safe switch-in once Tailwind was up. I'm open to suggestions for her replacement if I decide I do want to replace her.


I'm liking this so far, and I'm hoping to fine-tune it by Saturday's tournament. I'm thinking of replacing Mandibuzz with Gastrodon to help with potential Torkoal teams I might face, but I'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt for now. Any suggestions for Gastrodon or something else entirely, throw them at me! (But please don't throw actual Gastrodon... O__O )

Also, if you enjoy using something a bit different, feel free to share it! I like to discuss interesting battle strategies and gimmicks. I find them a lot of fun =D