Hi guys, I took a LONG break from pokemon and COMPLETELY lost my touch when it comes to building teams. I really need help to improve this team:
Serperior @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Great late game sweeper after the threats have been removed. Can lure in Ferrothorn or Skarmory and annihilate them with +2 HP Fire, effectively 2HKOing them.
Azumarill @ Assault Vest
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower
Really, he's only here to deal with Weavile as he can sweep through the majority of my team. Apart from that, his amazing physical attack and decent bulk makes him a great asset. I went with Assault Vest so he can tank more hits.
Hippowdon @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
- Toxic
I wasn't planning to make a Semi-Sand team, but after having Mega Garchomp (breaker) and Excadrill (originally a spinner) on the team, I figured sand could improve their ability on my team. I chose Hippowdon over T-Tar as Hippowdon's typing is better and he has access to the super useful Slack Off, especially since Hippowdon is my pivot
Garchomp @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Stone Edge
Mega Garchomp has been working WONDERS for this team. Fire Blast totally destroys Ferrothorn and Skarmory, the 2 most annoying walls in my opinion, and Garchomp can even lure them in at times as most people are expecting a physical set. Furthermore, Sand Force boosted EdgeQuake can demolish pretty much anything, even those who resist it in some cases. This mixed set is meant to break the majority of walls that wall my team, and even if Garchchomp doesn't KO them right away, I can effectively revenge kill with............
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
Originally, he was my spinner as I needed to get rid of SR for Talonflame, who was in the original version of this team. After going the way of sand however, I ditched spinning, used Excadrill as my revenge killer, and replaced Talonflame with Azumarill. Anyway, Sand Rush Excadrill is my revenge killer, need I say more?
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Soft-Boiled
- Thunder Wave
- Moonblast
- Heal Bell
Finally, my team needed an effective switch-in as well as a cleric as most of the team is vulnerable to burn. Clefable was the best choice. With access to Magic Guard, Clefable takes no damage from Sandstorm and can switch-in often even if there's entry hazards. Magic Guard cleric Clefable has perfect synergy for this semi-sand team.
This team has won, and even 6-0ed, multiple battles, but at the same time it loses due to bad matchups as it has trouble dealing with Water and Ice. The sand core is definitely powerful, but three Ground types isn't necessarily all that great. I don't mind taking out sand, but a can't seem to find any specific core that can fulfill the roles better than breaker M-Garchomp or Revenge Killer Excadrill. Sand is REALLY powerful on my team, but with the battles I do, because there's 3 ground types, it's either a fantastic match up or an awful matchup. If there's any way to have better type synergy while fulfilling the roles of the team just as well as it is already, I'm all ears.
Any questions or suggestions, feel free to tell me!
Thanks a ton!
