VGC Team Help

Question

So I have been playing around with a Sandstorm Team for VGC and i think ive built a pretty decent team however I would like some suggestions on where to improve as I do sometimes feel as though Im not prepared for certain Pokemon or strategies

My team is as follows:

1) Gigalith @Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
Moves: Earthquake, Protect, Heavy Slam, Stone Edge
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 252 HP, 156 Atk, 100 SpD

2) Stoutland @Normalium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
Moves: Wild Charge, Play Rough, Crunch, Return
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 252 Atk, 4 Def, 252 Spe

3) Alakazam @Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
Moves: Protect, Focus Blast, Psychic, Shadow Ball
Nature: Timid
EV's: 252 SpA, 4 SpD, 252 Spe

4) Lycanroc (Midday) @Rockium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
Moves: Fire Fang, Stone Edge, Thunder Fang, Accelerock
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 252 Atk, 4 SpD, 252 Spe

5) Gastrodon @Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
Moves: Scald, Ice Beam, Protect, Recover
Nature: Bold
EV's: 252 HP, 92 Def, 108 SpA, 56 SpD

6) Nihilego @Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
Moves: Power Gem, Hidden Power Ice, Sludge Bomb, Protect
Nature: Timid
EV's: 4 HP, 252 SpA, 252 Spe

I normally lead with Gigalith and then either Lycanroc/Stoutland which is why they each have a Z Crystal because I never choose both in the same team. Both have Sand Rush so are very quick and I just choose based on what the opponents likely leads are. Gastrodon is always on my team to absorb water moves for the rock types however it has a big problem with Kartana and I have lost many times because of this. Alakazam/Nihilego are the same as Lycanroc/Stoutland I never have both and I choose based on types. I do find myself needing Nihilego a lot more often as my Tapu Killer.

Any suggestions on improvements would be appreciated :)

Comments

Gigalith's heavy slam doesn't cover important threats, so replace it with stealth rock. I don't think it's good to have two z crystals, so replace one of them with choice band.

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Too many types hit supereffectively on at least 3 of your pokemon:
Water gets Gigalith, Lycanroc, and Nihilego;
Grass gets Gigalith, Lycanroc, and Gastrodon;
Fighting gets Gigalith, Stoutland, and Lycanroc;
Ground gets Gigalith, Lycanroc, and Nihilego;
and Steel gets Gigalith, Lycanroc and Nihilego.

If at all possible, it's generally a good idea to try and make sure no one type is supereffective on more than two pokemon on your team.

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Keep in mind that sandstorm boosts the special defense of rock Pokemon, so the grass weakness shouldn't be too problematic.

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Kartana which is currently the fifth most use pokemon according to https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/battle/#wcs blows through your team as you said. Celesteela and Arcanine are both great pokemon that counter it. Both of these pokemon are very versatile and can run both offensive and defensive sets to suit your playstyle. Fire Fang Garchomp and HP-FIre Tapu Koko are also solid options, with Sand Veil making Garchomp a great sand abuser. Some less common Kartana checks and counters you could also use are Salazzle, Hariyama or  Incineroar if you want fake out support, or Talonflame if you want tailwind and or taunt support. If you don't want to change any team members you could have Alakazam run HP Fire over focus blast. It'll do the same damage but be much more accurate.