I'll start this one off.
Saud (Palossand) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Compaction
EVs: 156 HP / 100 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shore Up
- Amnesia
- Earth Power
- Giga Drain
I like the design and idea behind this new Pokemon, for once. Competitively, it doesn't have room for a ton of firepower if it's going to survive, but it does have the ability to slowly wear down opponents and be defensive. Oh, and be careful of Taunt, Roar and Whirlwind!
Anyway, this set isn't particularly awesome, it just fits my standards. Shore Up is a new healing move that is exclusively Palossand's. It's especially effective on Sand teams...maybe doubles would make great use of Palossand, but I have no experience in it. I digress. Shore Up will keep Palossand healthy while it's in the field, and physical water types such as non-belly drum Azumarill may have trouble taking it out as it has Water Compaction, giving a sharp raise in Defense every time you get hit with Water. Palossand's viable defense will let you live one hit in the first place, and this is followed by a Shore Up if you've predicted correctly. Your opponents will have a real tough time getting through this with a Physical Attacker. So this is where Amnesia comes into play. Predict a switch to a special attacker, and you've got yet another advantage on them already. I was very surprised to find that the pile of sand could learn Giga Drain, which will help when you're up against a water type, and it'll help your healing in general. You all know why Earth Power is here.
So, Palossand isn't a totally great Poke, but if he gets placed somewhat lower in the tiers, this might not be so bad. Maybe we won't have to go against Azumarill after all!