I have been playing around with a mono ground team for a while and I finally think I have a good lineup. Some pokemon can completely kill it though, but I don't think I can adjust my team further to cater for it. I think I will just have to settle for that slight chance of being helpless :/
Anyway, I am pleased with the guys I have but any feedback - of course - would be great. Here goes:
TrioTrioTrio (Dugtrio) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Arena Trap
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Memento
- Sand Attack
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Dugtrio is my usual starter (depending on what else they have). He is there as the first set up for Sandslash. As such, his role is primarily to throw a sand attack and then follow up with memento once he is down to the sash. If the opponent misses (because of the SA), I use the opportunity to throw a toxic or stealth rock. SR is for later......
Darude (Gliscor) @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Veil
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 202 Def / 54 SpD
- Substitute
- Defog
- Baton Pass
- Sandstorm
Darude is my second set up guy. If there are hazards I will use defog first to clear the way, as hazards pretty much ruin my Sandslash strat. After that I sandstorm and sub (the order depends on whether I think they will taunt/status me) and baton pass to my main monster.
Sandslash @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sand Rush
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Flail
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
Swords Dance until I am down to the sash and then attack. Main option is flail, because it has base 200 megapower with 1HP. Sand Rush also enables me to outspeed everything the insanely fast. It is a shame he doesn't have any priority moves, as those are the main things that take me out. If they have pokemon who traditionally have priority attacks, I usually use my other three guys later until they are taken out.
Nidoking @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Earth Power
The traditional Special attacking Nido. Not much to say about him really other than he is a brute.
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Calm Nature
- Giga Drain
- Fire Blast
- Boomburst
- Earth Power
Another fast guy to take out threats. Boomburst is kinda just there. May replace with Draco Meteor. This guy is usually a revenge killer and normally gets switched out anyway because of the scarf, so the stat drops aren't as much of an issue. Maybe Dragon Pulse could work though. I only opted with Boomburst because it can bypass subs.
Tanky McTank (Steelix) @ Steelixite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Curse
- Roar
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
Tanky McTank is my physical hitter, and is pretty hardcore. I usually bring him out on a physical attacker, who will do almost no damage to him so I can curse and mega-evolve on the switch. 900+ Def then becomes a scary prospect. I can use roar to get rid of the special guys I don't think heavy slam / earthquake can kill. If Trio set up SR then it can gradually wear them down.
I'm interested in hearing what you think. I wanted to try and include guys not commonly seen to make it more interesting. I could have done Hippowdon/Landorus/Nidoking,Mega Aggron/etc but that lineup is dull and predictable. I don't enjoy using them (except Nido) and I can't imagine people enjoy fighting them!
