This is the first competitve team that I've put together since gen 5. It's very similar to my offensive sand team from gen 5, but with some necessary adjustments. I appreciate any advice.
Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 180 HP / 252 Atk / 0 Def / 0 SpA / 0 SpD / 76 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Superpower
- Stealth Rock
The obligatory Sand Stream Pokemon. Necessary for any sand team. I used to run a Choice Band set (with Pursuit instead of Stealth Rock), but Tyranitar needs to be holding the Smooth Rock in gen 8 to keep sandstorm up as long as possible. Except for Stealth Rock, this is just my Choice Band set, so it may need some adjustments.
Excadrill @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 0 Def / 0 SpA / 0 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
My sand sweeper. This is another set that is very similar to what I had in gen 5, so it may need some adjustments.
Sigilyph @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 0 Atk / 0 Def / 252 SpA / 0 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Heat Wave
- Air Slash
- Roost
My special sweeper. Sigilyph is the Pokemon I use to scare the fighting types that would wreck Excadrill, Tyranitar, and Ferrothorn. Life Orb + Magic Guard works very well, and the ability also keeps Sigilyph safe from sandstorm damage. This set is exactly the same as what I ran in gen 5.
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 0 Atk / 48 Def / 0 SpA / 208 SpD / 0 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
The tank. It gets a lot of switch-in oppurtunites thanks to its typing. This, similar to the Sigilyph set, is exactly the same as it was in gen 5. It may need some updating.
Skarmory @ Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 224 HP / 0 Atk / 252 Def / 0 SpA / 32 SpD / 0 Spe
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Body Press
The phazer + alternate tank. I changed this up a little bit, so it should be more up-to-date compared to the others. Having three steel types may cause a problem since fire types are more viable thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots and Kabutops isn't on the team anymore.
Dragapult @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 0 HP / 68 Atk / 0 Def / 188 SpA / 0 SpD / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Hex
- Dragon Darts
- U-Turn
- Will-O-Wisp
The only new member. Kabutops was here, but it is locked out of gen 8. Dragapult is here to be a pivot and spread burns. I'm not completely sold on this set, or the Pokemon itself for that matter.