RMT: Sandstorm - Passive Aggressive (5th Gen)

[Wretched]

So, my friend and I decided we needed to finally get around to playing 5th Gen, so we built this team together. We knew going in that we hated how teams are so worried about not dying that they forgot how to do any damage, so we looked for the heaviest hitters and the heaviest walls.
The intention of the team is to use our tanky part of the team first (Tyranitar/Ferrothorn/Cresselia) as to wear down the other team, and then, late game, we can come in with our heavy sweepers. It is a simple strategy but thus far, on *Insert battle simulator* it has achieved a ridiculous amount of success. I am mainly the builder, and my friend is more of a player, so I'll redirect questions about game play to him.

Preview: Tyranitar / Cresselia / Ferrothorn / Excadrill / Haxorus / Volcarona

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Sassy | Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 66 SAtk / 192 SDef
Sassy
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
- Superpower
- Stealth Rock

We knew we wanted Tyranitar to be able to tank special attacks, so we made him specially defensive. As for offense, we mixed him up. His stats are nice enough to not need atk evs for crunch to be a threat, and Ice/Dark/Fighting provides wonderful coverage. He is usually our lead, and his success has been tremendous. His ability to take damage from special attacks during sandstorm is ridiculously useful. In terms of physical attacks...


Cresselia @ Light Clay
Bold | Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 40 SDef / 68 Spd
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Lunar Dance
- Psychic

We knew we were going to make Cresselia Tyranitar's buddy. Cresselia covers the two common weaknesses of TTar, ground and fighting, and she can deal with any physical threats.
Light Clay in combination with double screens is an untapped resource in this world of pokingmens, so defensively, Cresselia can't be touched.
Offensively, we knew that we'd be switching in on fighting types, and the 5th gen did bring in a ridiculous amount of fighting types to OU, so we went with psychic.
Now before I hear OBJECTION WRETCHED... We knew sandstorm would wear Cress down, and we knew we wouldn't be sweeping with her, so we put Lunar Dance on, and the ability to refresh any pokemon on our team after cress has put up walls and dented a few pokes with psychic is a godsend.


Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Sassy | Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 58 Def / 200 SDef
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Protect

We knew we wanted to use this ridiculous pokemon in sandstorm for a few reasons.
1. He covered our Water weakness
2. During Sandstorm, he doesn't take damage, and stalling with leech seed and Protect in combination with sandstorm is the best thing ever
3. We wanted something that would be assumed to be Defensive, but was Specially defensive.
Plus, we wanted him to be able to come in on water attacks, which are usually special. Other than that, basic Ferro set.


Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Adamant | Sand Rush
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin

Obviously, since it is a sandstorm team, we need something that thrived in Sandstorm. So, Excadrill. We wanted him to function as a rapid spinner so that we could protect Volcarona, who is x4 rock weak, but we also wanted him to have potential as a sweeper. I'm sure you all know what he can do in Sandstorm with a swords dance, so he is pretty self explainitory. We're considering using something else due to Excadrill's poor coverage and his lack of stone edge. Air Balloon lets us take an EQ and set up Swords dance, but Air Balloon is very predictable.
Side note, wouldn't a trainer notice that there was a mole floating around with a balloon before he yelled out "DO AN EARTHQUAKE BRO"?


Haxorus @ Leftovers
Adamant | Mold Breaker
EVs: 38 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

We knew we'd need something that could hit HARD, and we figured out that a pokemon with 147 base attack with a STAB 120 damage move with the ability to dragon dance MIGHT be viable as a sweeper.
That was a MIGHT.
So, we built this guy. We knew that Cresselia and her walls of balls could ensure that he could take a few hits. Forcing a switch with this guy is easy, and once we have a dragon dance under our belt, Brick Break 2hkos our greatest threat... FERROTHORN. Seriously, Ferrothorn can go eat a bag of ****s.
Anyways, he is pretty self explainatory. He can do damage, and that is what we wanted. A purely offensive weapon in order to take advantage of Cresselia's wall coverage.


Volcarona @ Leftovers
Timid | Flame Body
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SAtk / 186 Spd
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Rock]

This pokemon functions exactly the same as Haxorus, so go read his description again.
Basically, we want to force a switch so that we can put a quiver dance under our belt. Ideally, we switch in on Ferrothorn, who is scared ****less of this thing, and we get Quiver dance's amazing benefits.
The only thing about Volcarona is a definite rock weakness. We run a rapid spinner to ensure that when we bring in Volcarona, we don't get messed up by Stealth Rocks. We also know that we can expect a bunch of Excadrills, so we decided that we should assume that ALL Excadrills switching in will be using swords dance.




Uh, so I think that is it. Questions, comments, concerns?

 

[UltiMario]

1. All Ferrothorn are specially defensive, actually even moreso than your set.
2. Just use CB Haxorus. It has the highest 1-turn damage output in the entire game. Exactly what you're looking for.
3. Don't get TOO cocky with Ferrothorn vs Volcarona. If it decides to stay in and Thunder Wave, you're pretty ****ed.
4. This team is not a particular fan of DDNite, or any Rain team with a Fighting type on board (particularly Toxicroak)
5. Drop ****ing Gyro Ball for Thunder Wave or Spikes on Ferro.

 

[Wretched]

1. All Ferrothorn are specially defensive, actually even moreso than your set.
2. Just use CB Haxorus. It has the highest 1-turn damage output in the entire game. Exactly what you're looking for.
3. Don't get TOO cocky with Ferrothorn vs Volcarona. If it decides to stay in and Thunder Wave, you're pretty ****ed.
4. This team is not a particular fan of DDNite, or any Rain team with a Fighting type on board (particularly Toxicroak)
5. Drop ****ing Gyro Ball for Thunder Wave or Spikes on Ferro.

1. Hah, I had no idea. I've been told and I've experienced a bunch of Ferrothorns that go for defense. I've been misinformed.
2. No. I want options. I want a lot of damage, but not at the cost of being forced to switch if anything comes in that can take whatever move I picked.
3. Well, lets play a scenario out.
Volcarona switches in on a Power Whip
Volcarona used Quiver Dance
Ferrothorn used Twave
Volcarona used Fire attack
Ferro dies
Volcarona still outspeeds Ferro after twave. How am I ****ed? I have a paralyzed poke? The whole point of cresselia is to ensure that Volcarona can come in safely, and later on be just as useful.
4. Yep. Fortunately, only DDance Nite has come up and the situation was handled. I will adjust accordingly if it becomes an issue in the future.
5. Gyro Ball is ridiculously useful. I can't put it down on paper how many times it has helped in situations.
If it becomes less useful in the future, I will definitely consider Twave.

 

[UltiMario]

2. Then at least run Life Orb. You NEED a higher damage output. Something as frail as Haxorus... it's a waste to use Lefties.
3. More realistic Scenario:
Volcarona comes in on Power Whip
Volcarona Quiver Dances
Ferrothorn Thunder Waves
Other player switches to something that can take a fire attack
You're a sitting duck, waiting to die.

The only reason why Volcarona is so effective is because it packs so much ****ing speed with its power. Thunder Wave removes that.
5. Where does Gyro Ball help? Dragons? Whatever the case, you'd be surprised what a speed drop can do. Something might live another day from a Gyro Ball- Thunder Wave will cripple almost any sweeper for the rest of the game, making it easy as **** to pick them off with Haxorus, Excadrill, and Volcarona during a sweep.

 

[Wretched]

2. Then at least run Life Orb. You NEED a higher damage output. Something as frail as Haxorus... it's a waste to use Lefties.
3. More realistic Scenario:
Volcarona comes in on Power Whip
Volcarona Quiver Dances
Ferrothorn Thunder Waves
Other player switches to something that can take a fire attack
You're a sitting duck, waiting to die.

The only reason why Volcarona is so effective is because it packs so much ****ing speed with its power. Thunder Wave removes that.
5. Where does Gyro Ball help? Dragons? Whatever the case, you'd be surprised what a speed drop can do. Something might live another day from a Gyro Ball- Thunder Wave will cripple almost any sweeper for the rest of the game, making it easy as **** to pick them off with Haxorus, Excadrill, and Volcarona during a sweep.

2. That's the thing, we're ensuring that frailty is not a factor. Lefties is just to compensate for SS, but with cresselia setting up double walls, we're not worried about him dying because it hasn't been an issue thus far.
3. I guess we won't switch in on ferro then.
5. True. I will prolly run Twave>Gyro Ball.

 

[ss118]

I suggest you use my Haxorus set.

Haxorus @ Life Orb
Mold Breaker: Jolly
4 HP(or Defense, can't remember), 252 Attack, 252 Speed
Outrage
Earthquake
Swords Dance
Dragon Dance

Very flexible and very powerful. Abuses team preview like a boss.

 

[Wretched]

We definitely considered using Swords dance, but not both swords dance and Dragon Dance. With the combination of Sandstorm, Life orb, and having to set up dragon dance AND swords dance, he'd be dead.
Of everything on this team, he's actually the most beneficial and well working part in combination with Cress, so he is the only part I really don't want to run a different set on. Dragon/Ground/Fighting is wonderful too.

 

[ss118]

You realize you don't use both SD and DD, right? You pick the right one depending on your opponent's team.

 

[Wretched]

Good point, but I don't forsee a time where I don't want to make sure that Haxorus outspeeds everything, and I don't want to sacrifice coverage to do more damage.

 

[Wave⁂]

Good point, but I don't forsee a time where I don't want to make sure that Haxorus outspeeds everything

When their remaining team consists of Ferrothorn, Tentacruel, and Shuckle.

and I don't want to sacrifice coverage to do more damage.

You don't need coverage when you have +2 Attack.

 

[ss118]

Hell, you don't need coverage with+1 attack.

 

[Wretched]

I'd totally agree with you guys if I didn't use BB so much.

 

[Wave⁂]

Of course you use BB, you don't have +2 Attack

 

[Enzo]

unstab +2 will hurt ferro, but not THAT MUCH

well then again
+1 ddance bb is about the same as +2 EQ

 

[Wretched]

Brick Break from my build 2HKOs Ferro after a DDance.

 

[kirbyraeg]

So, my friend and I decided we needed to finally get around to playing 5th Gen, so we built this team together. We knew going in that we hated how teams are so worried about not dying that they forgot how to do any damage, so we looked for the heaviest hitters and the heaviest walls.
The intention of the team is to use our tanky part of the team first (Tyranitar/Ferrothorn/Cresselia) as to wear down the other team, and then, late game, we can come in with our heavy sweepers. It is a simple strategy but thus far, on *Insert battle simulator* it has achieved a ridiculous amount of success. I am mainly the builder, and my friend is more of a player, so I'll redirect questions about game play to him.

Preview: Tyranitar / Cresselia / Ferrothorn / Excadrill / Haxorus / Volcarona

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Sassy | Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 66 SAtk / 192 SDef
Sassy
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
- Superpower
- Stealth Rock

We knew we wanted Tyranitar to be able to tank special attacks, so we made him specially defensive. As for offense, we mixed him up. His stats are nice enough to not need atk evs for crunch to be a threat, and Ice/Dark/Fighting provides wonderful coverage. He is usually our lead, and his success has been tremendous. His ability to take damage from special attacks during sandstorm is ridiculously useful. In terms of physical attacks...

Straight from the analysis, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Cresselia @ Light Clay
Bold | Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 40 SDef / 68 Spd
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Lunar Dance
- Psychic

We knew we were going to make Cresselia Tyranitar's buddy. Cresselia covers the two common weaknesses of TTar, ground and fighting, and she can deal with any physical threats.
Light Clay in combination with double screens is an untapped resource in this world of pokingmens, so defensively, Cresselia can't be touched.
Offensively, we knew that we'd be switching in on fighting types, and the 5th gen did bring in a ridiculous amount of fighting types to OU, so we went with psychic.
Now before I hear OBJECTION WRETCHED... We knew sandstorm would wear Cress down, and we knew we wouldn't be sweeping with her, so we put Lunar Dance on, and the ability to refresh any pokemon on our team after cress has put up walls and dented a few pokes with psychic is a godsend.

I like dual screen cress, and it covers ttar's weaknesses perfectly. Straightforward.

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Sassy | Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 58 Def / 200 SDef
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Protect

We knew we wanted to use this ridiculous pokemon in sandstorm for a few reasons.
1. He covered our Water weakness
2. During Sandstorm, he doesn't take damage, and stalling with leech seed and Protect in combination with sandstorm is the best thing ever
3. We wanted something that would be assumed to be Defensive, but was Specially defensive.
Plus, we wanted him to be able to come in on water attacks, which are usually special. Other than that, basic Ferro set.

Once again, almost straight from the analysis. :[ It does its job fine, and with protect it can scout nicely.


Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Adamant | Sand Rush
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin

Obviously, since it is a sandstorm team, we need something that thrived in Sandstorm. So, Excadrill. We wanted him to function as a rapid spinner so that we could protect Volcarona, who is x4 rock weak, but we also wanted him to have potential as a sweeper. I'm sure you all know what he can do in Sandstorm with a swords dance, so he is pretty self explainitory. We're considering using something else due to Excadrill's poor coverage and his lack of stone edge. Air Balloon lets us take an EQ and set up Swords dance, but Air Balloon is very predictable.
Side note, wouldn't a trainer notice that there was a mole floating around with a balloon before he yelled out "DO AN EARTHQUAKE BRO"?

My opinion is either adamant+LO or jolly+balloon. Switch accordingly, though since you want it to spin i think jolly+balloon would work better.

Haxorus @ Leftovers
Adamant | Mold Breaker
EVs: 38 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

We knew we'd need something that could hit HARD, and we figured out that a pokemon with 147 base attack with a STAB 120 damage move with the ability to dragon dance MIGHT be viable as a sweeper.
That was a MIGHT.
So, we built this guy. We knew that Cresselia and her walls of balls could ensure that he could take a few hits. Forcing a switch with this guy is easy, and once we have a dragon dance under our belt, Brick Break 2hkos our greatest threat... FERROTHORN. Seriously, Ferrothorn can go eat a bag of ****s.
Anyways, he is pretty self explainatory. He can do damage, and that is what we wanted. A purely offensive weapon in order to take advantage of Cresselia's wall coverage.

I second double dance hax since it's a solid set on a decent pokemon, but I personally have a thing for taunt+SD just because of how it manhandles stall, even though in most cases it's an inferior set. Leftovers is a fine item choice since this is a sandstorm team.

Volcarona @ Leftovers
Timid | Flame Body
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SAtk / 186 Spd
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Rock]

This pokemon functions exactly the same as Haxorus, so go read his description again.
Basically, we want to force a switch so that we can put a quiver dance under our belt. Ideally, we switch in on Ferrothorn, who is scared ****less of this thing, and we get Quiver dance's amazing benefits.
The only thing about Volcarona is a definite rock weakness. We run a rapid spinner to ensure that when we bring in Volcarona, we don't get messed up by Stealth Rocks. We also know that we can expect a bunch of Excadrills, so we decided that we should assume that ALL Excadrills switching in will be using swords dance.

Analysis volc does a fine job sweeping, though I question having something that can't adequately handle rain on your team besides ferrothorn. I'd consider something like subCM Latias here, which is one of the best possible pokemon to run vs. rain teams with its good resists.

Uh, so I think that is it. Questions, comments, concerns?

Comments in red. Overall, it's a straightforward, cookie-cutter team that probably gets pretty good results. I don't have much to add to it because it gets its job done.

 

[Wretched]

Actually, you read my mind about the rain team.
Honestly, the weakest link in this team is Excadrill. I'm probably going to drop him for something else that can:
1. Not be hurt by sandstorm
2. Work as a counter against common rain team threats.
So in that sense, I definitely agree with you.
The reason I ran adamant is... I forget which, but we ran a few calcs against some common threats, and apparently is was needed for a few OHKOs and 2HKOs even after a swords dance.
We came to the conclusion that we didn't need the speed because the only thing that might come in against us that would be faster would be another excadrill, and we came to the conclusion that we'd rather have more OHKOs and 2HKOs than outspeed other Excadrill.

 

[MK26]

The only thing in OU that doesn't get clean 2hko'd by LO Adamant Mold Breaker Haxorus Outrage at +2 is Forretress...who takes 51.41 - 60.73%.

That is ****ing scary.

You could seriously run a mono-attacking Outrage/Taunt/SD/DD set and go far with it, lol

 

[Wretched]

The only thing I'd be scared of is getting outsped. That has been a HUGE issue thus far, especially against rain teams. I changed the team up a lot, anyways, ignoring the fact that the team had been unreasonably successful as it was.

 

[Wave⁂]

outsped

rain teams

Just checking, you know that Swift Swim is banned, right?

 

[Wretched]

Uh, yeah, I know, but people run stuff that outspeeds my haxorus anyways ._.

 

[UltiMario]

Unless I'm being stupid, I can't think of anything but Thundurus that is common on Rain teams that outspeeds you (Scarf Rotom-W is much less common than the standard spread)

 

[Wretched]

I dunno how to explain it, then. I've lost to 3 rain teams and most of them have had something to say about my Haxorus by outspeeding him.

 

[Wave⁂]

Listing the Pokemon that commonly outspeed Haxorus might help

 

[Wretched]

I don't remember, but I take back that it has been an issue so far because it was only 2-3 matches and they were both Thundurus.

 

[UltiMario]

So my point stands

 

[kirbyraeg]

SwSw+Drizzle is not banned on PO, but yeah

 

[Enzo]

SS+Drizzle ban is dumb lol, my Sand team managed to be page one on po server with rain infestation, i mean jellicent walls the whole rain abuser lineup, cept ludicolo and thundurus and ttar can switchin those twoand set up sand again

 

[UltiMario]

An eight year old could get to top 40 on PO.

Also
252 +2 Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs 252 HP/252 Def Jellicent: 95.3% - 112.13%

252 +2 Atk Life Orb Kabutops Waterfall vs 252 HP/252 Def Tyranitar: 114.36% - 135.15%

252 +2 Atk Life Orb Kabutops Aqua Jet vs 4 HP/0 Def Excadrill: 143.37% - 169.06%

I hope you pack Conkeldurr.

Oh wait

252 Atk Life Orb Kabutops Waterfall vs 252 HP/4 Def Conkeldurr: 64.01% - 75.6%

Lol rain

Even with that, Thundurus still takes out at least one mon...

252 +2 SpAtk Life Orb Thundurus Focus Blast vs 252 HP/252 SpDef Tyranitar: 158.42% - 186.14%

The People on PO must be ****ing morons.

 

[Riddle]

Tyranitar can't switch in on Ludicolo.

If you switch in on a Swords Dance you're OHKO'd by Seed Bomb/Waterfall/Drain Punch. (Or if you switch in on any of those moves you're 2HKO'd)
If you switch in on a Focus Blast you take ~75%.
If you switch in on a Surf/Energy Ball you can't take a Focus Blast.
If you switch in on Ice Beam you STILL maybe can't take a Focus Blast with some good rolls and SR.

Yup.

 

[Wave⁂]

>Gen IV
>Not using ScarfTar

i seriously hope etc

 

[UltiMario]

>Gen IV
>Not using ScarfTar

i seriously hope etc

Can't tell if serious

 

[Wave⁂]

I just realized that Ludicolo outspeed you anyway lol