Sandstorm Team - Help Needed!

[Kuro]

Okay, so I've got a preliminary plan of a Sanstorm team, but I'm rather unhappy with it. Basically, I think I've confined myself to a specific type of Pokemon (AKA those that resist Sandstorm), and the problem is I cannot figure out what to replace hinderances with, and what I could replace them with.

Chouza (Hippowdon) @ Smooth Rock
252 Atk/24 HP/234 Def
Impish

- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Slack Off
- Yawn

--

Envy (Swampert) @ Leftovers
252 HP/180 Def/88 SD
Careful

- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Avalanche
- Curse

--

Alloy (Skarmory) @ Leftovers
252 HP/252 Def/6 Attack (>_>)
Impish

- Brave Bird
- Spikes
- Roar
- Roost

--

Sanshou (Garchomp) @ Choice Band
252 Attack/252 Speed/ 6 HP
Jolly

- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Fang

--

Nova (Lucario) @ Choice Specs
252 SA/252 Speed/6 HP
Modest

- Aura Sphere
- Dragon Pulse
- Flash Cannon
- Dark Pulse

--

Tiki (Bronzong) @ Leftovers
252 HP/104 SD/152 Atk
Sassy

- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Hypnosis

--

Okay then, that's the basic outline. I've thinking of getting a better (and more type-diverse) special attacker, or just removing a Pokemon altogether for a special sweeper/tank.

Basically, the three that I'd consider replacing are Lucario, Bronzong and Skarmory.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. ^_^;

 

[El Gofre]

Im no good with weather teams, but garchomp is the newest member of the uber tier as of this weekend (For this site at least)

 

[Sora_8920]

Shoddy hasn't considered Uber, though, Gofre. At least, I don't think. O_o

But they still have yet to decide on that, I think, It's too early.

Nice team in general, I personally >3 SDChomp, and does CBChomp's job better, but that's a fine set for it.

Also, for faster opponents, Vacuum Wave > Flash Cannon on Lucario.

 

[Anti]

My biggest problem is that Magnezone takes out both of your steel walls and Lucario can be trapped and killed if it uses anything but Aura Sphere.

You don't need Skarmory AND Bronzong, and you lack a special wall, so I would make that your first priority - put in a special wall.

 

[El Gofre]

Shoddy hasn't considered Uber, though, Gofre. At least, I don't think. O_o

But they still have yet to decide on that, I think, It's too early.

Nice team in general, I personally >3 SDChomp, and does CBChomp's job better, but that's a fine set for it.

Also, for faster opponents, Vacuum Wave > Flash Cannon on Lucario.

Yeah but if he's playing at PC then it needs changings
Good call on vacuum wave, but he'll need a -Def/+SpAtt nature (Cant remember the name off the top of my head) if he plans on hurting anything with it without EVs.
He lacks a dedicated special wall seeing as nothing is overly benefitting with the .5 SpDef boost given to rocks. Zong should be running a lot more SpDef, I run 252HP/200SpDef/56Att to better success

 

[Dark Azelf]

All i can say here is Mixape and Gyrados says hi =)

All your members dont HAVE to be immune to SS, chuck Starmie in here, it deals with both the aforementioned.

Starmie@leftovers
172 HP / 120 SP.ATT / 216 SPEED
Timid Nature
Trait : natural Cure
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Recover
- Rapid Spin

Azelf, gengar etc just rips through you tbh so get yourself a better sp.wall.



Roar >> Yawn on Hippo, its more effective and a more reliable way of PHazing. Put leftovers on Hippowdon .....now... wtf smooth rock, whats that gonna do when you have a PERMANENT Sandstorm with hippowdon anyways =/

 

[ABYAY]

Consider Cradily and Tyranitar as good choices, especially Cradily if you need special walling. It'll supply SR support if needed, or it can supply an Energy Ball to hit grounds/rocks harder that try to take over your sandstorm.

Other than the lack of the sp. wall, the team looks pretty good. Counters to the team are mentioned above, so that Starmie will help out.

 

[Kuro]

Thank you all for the advice. I did consider Alakazam as a Special Sweeper, but Starmie also makes a very nice choice - allowing me to deal with Gengar (I run Psychic on my Starmie). Thus, I may consider taking out Lucario for it.

In addition, all of you have mentioned that I lack a decent Special Wall. Any suggestions?

EDIT: So, Starmie in for Lucario; Cradily in for Bronzong?

 

[Sora_8920]

Consider Cradily and Tyranitar as good choices, especially Cradily if you need special walling. It'll supply SR support if needed, or it can supply an Energy Ball to hit grounds/rocks harder that try to take over your sandstorm.

Other than the lack of the sp. wall, the team looks pretty good. Counters to the team are mentioned above, so that Starmie will help out.

Agreed. Forgetting Tar on a SS Team is taboo. :O

But Cradily, just gets 0wned by Modest SpecsRan with Fire Blast.

 

[Kuro]

Agreed. Forgetting Tar on a SS Team is taboo. :O

But Cradily, just gets 0wned by Modest SpecsRan with Fire Blast.

Tyranitar is highly overrated IMO. It can only rampage while given a chance to DD/against something slower than it - and it's so fragile. However, Garchomp can do all that Tyranitar can, without needing to set up. Hence, why I chose it.

But I will take it into consideration.

 

[ABYAY]

Well, although Modest Fire Blast from Specs Heatran can majorly damage Cradily, it isn't OHKO'd (at least not normally I believe), and it does better than Zong. lol

Oh yeah, speaking of Heatran, consider that one an option as well. Bring it on an expected Fire Blast from something (like if you have out Zong), then hello Flash Fire.

 

[Dark Azelf]

Tyranitar is highly overrated IMO. It can only rampage while given a chance to DD/against something slower than it - and it's so fragile. However, Garchomp can do all that Tyranitar can, without needing to set up. Hence, why I chose it.

But I will take it into consideration.

Choice Band t-tar ? That doesnt require a dd..


100 HP /110 DEF /100 SP.DEF (Which is doubled in SS) lol fragile lol

Garchomp cant "Taunt" either =p



Cradilly is fine in SS however, its sp.def goes WAY over 460 and takes specs Heatran fine Abyay =/. It takes ass even from Specs Mences Draco meteor.


Cradilly@leftovers
252 HP / 164 DEF / 94 SP.DEF
Sassy Nature
- Recover
- Energy Ball / Toxic
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock / Earthquake


Id suggest Energy ball, as this team cant particularly do much to swampert.

 

[Sora_8920]

Tyranitar is highly overrated IMO. It can only rampage while given a chance to DD/against something slower than it - and it's so fragile. However, Garchomp can do all that Tyranitar can, without needing to set up. Hence, why I chose it.

But I will take it into consideration.

Well, I suppose this will explain it. Tar is OU for a reason, it has nice base status and movepool, as well as having a pretty decent usage. EDIT: Azelf has quite the point, too.

 

[Kuro]

My main point was supposed to be that, speed-wise, it lets itself down, and can often find itself quite susceptible. IMO, Garchomp is more reliable.

 

[Dark Azelf]

My main point was supposed to be that, speed-wise, it lets itself down, and can often find itself quite susceptible. IMO, Garchomp is more reliable.

yeah chomp is more reliable, but you dont want Ice Weaknesses building up though.

And you cant do much to cresselia with this team actually =o APart from lucarios Dark Pulse , but cressy wont take much and can status it and put luke out of action


Tyranitar@Leftovers / Black Glasses / Life Orb
252 ATT / 252 SPEED / 6 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt / Stone Edge / Ice beam
- Earthquake
- Crunch

Yeah, slow i think not, outspeeds Azelf, Starmie, Raikou, Gengar etc all after a DD. 243 speed before one =)

Taunt shuts down stuff that wants to PHaze and status you and most walls in general.

Ice Beam ohko's Garchomp ,Gliscor and 2hkos Donphan and hippowdon with a Life Orb.

Stone Edge gets STAB and grants more coverage.


Black Glasses is an option to 2hko swampert with Crunch after a DD.



Crunch and EQ grant the best coverage paired together though.

 

[Anti]

How is forgetting Tar taboo? I'm sorry but I ran an undefeated Sandstorm team that STILL hasn't lost (14-0 baby) and didn't have Tar :/

Then again, Tar isn't fragile like somebody said and speed isn't even an issue, you just have to know how to play it right.

Anyways, for a team with so many walls, this team is stalled to high heavens. Cradily will only make that worse (IMO Cradily is not just overrated, but pretty crappy even in a sandstorm...VERY easily stalled) and Blissey will do the same.

Articuno is one of the best stalling special walls you can find thatnks to Pressure and a ton of recovery options. You'll want a Rapid Spinner though, otherwise it's pretty useless. Resstalk Snorlax also gets the job done well. Cress and Hypno can also work if you prefer that.

I would take out Swampert and Bronzong for a rapid spinner and special wall. I would go Starmie and Snorlax, but it's your call.

 

[.]

T-Tar hate really makes me sob ;/ Yeah, it's slow, but it's not THAT fragile. It only has 1 4x weakness and that is to fighting. Unless people switch into Mixape or something with insane attack, it'll tank it. DDancing Tar is probably one of the most dangerous forces in a Sandstorm team, especially if given a chance to set up. Dark_Azelf's set is a real good choice if you're interested. But again, you have Hippowdon already, so Tar isn't really needed[/rant]

I'd suggest removing Skarmory for Cradily, it takes hits in the Sandstorm in stride, and if you equip it with moves like Toxic and Recover (nothing else really needed for defense. Get some EQ love here with something else) I've used it on Shoddy and it works wonders.

 

[Ársa]

Having a second Sandstorm user is pretty essential, especially if you want to remove Skarmory, making Hippowdon your main Physical Wall.

Seriously though, I don't see a need for either Bronzong or Swampert. Mix-Ape lols at both, just as Azelf mentioned, so Starmie and Cradily would fit nice.

Cradily@Leftovers
Sassy
252 HP, 164 Def, 92 Sp. Def

Energy Ball
Stone Edge / Earthquake
Toxic
Recover

Stone Edge gives STAB but Earthquake gives a guaranteed hit. Energy Ball lols at Swampert and the like. Toxic is smexy with Recover.

EDIT: btw, Cradily has 516 Sp. Def in Sandstorm.

~T_S

 

[Anti]

I just have to throw this out there because I have a very strong opinion on it...

Cradily is not anywhere near as good as people say it is. It is stalled like Specs Porygon-Z trapped against Dusknoir while using Tri Attack...by most anything. Cradily can take hits very well, but it just sits there and really can't do anything, except serve as a set-up fodder for sweepers that it can't hurt.

Opposing walls can absolutely shut it down or just stall Cradily out to death. Cradily just achieves senseless stalling (as in stalling that isn't getting you anywhere and you're going to lose the stall war anyways).

Also, it relies way too much on the weather. Bring in Kingdra, Moltres, or Heatran and set up rain or sun, and watch Cradily crumble to pieces.

I can see why people use it, I just don't see why people view it like it's so godly. Regice can achieve that SDef too, except it can actually stall a little and STAB Ice Beam hurts A LOT against frail attackers. Even in a sandstorm I would prefer Regice, I really would.

Now here comes the hate...:)

 

[ABYAY]

Why would I call that hate Anti-Pop? You pose a really good point that Cradily is a dead weight with Toxic being its main attacking move (against non steel/poisons of course), in which Quake covers steel, but the damage is meager, and then you get a Mash in the face or a million spikes set on you.

Regice has STAB Ice beam, 100 base sp.atk, Rest-talk, and T-bolt to do its bidding. Skarm can't set up many spikes, and Forretress will do crap with Gyro Ball thanks to Regice's poor speed. Although it'll take sandstorm damage every turn, you can just Rest-talk like crazy.

In this situation, Cradily has 3 things over Regice; resistance to sandstorm and non-status HP restoration (as in, Rest isn't needed for instant healing), and to an extent, typing (Grass/Rock). It's outclassed, unfortunately, in type coverage (aside from dealing with Water/Ground) and statistics.