(Accidentally posted this in the competitive battling section)
I'm new to competitive battling and so I'm trying out some strategies and team on Showdown. My current team I'm testing is a sandstorm team, and I'm hoping I can get some advice on it. It's meant to be an UU team, but currently I'm using Hippowdon instead of eviolite Hippopotas because otherwise I don't have a chance against OU and Uber pokemon I have to face. I also use a lot of doubles tactics, but I'm unsure if it's wise to have a team that can work in both UU and doubles.
Hippowdon w/Smooth Rock
Sand setter and tank in general.
I have it holding Smooth Rock to extend sandstorm duration, obviously. Sadly, when I make the transition to Hippopotas, I'll have to swap that with eviolite. I'm thinking of who else in my team might have space to run sandstorm.
Slack Off: Fantastic recovery, I can't do away with it.
Earthquake: Stab and powerful, I also have Sigilyph and Aerodactly on my team who are immune to it in doubles. Sadly, I end up getting walled by flying types in the end-game a LOT.
Whirlwind: Invaluable against shell-smashers and Quiver Dancers. They pop up a lot.
Protect: Gives an extra turn of sandstorm damage and allows Hippowdon to take ally Empoleon's surf if it comes to it.Also helps stall out trick room teams. Replaceable, though, and I might swap it with toxic, yawn, or stone edge.
EVs: Currently I'm running 252 HP 252 Def.
It works as a brilliant physical tank, but can take nothing else. I figure I might go max SpD and HP instead, since Hippowdon needs to take all sorts of attacks when switching in.
Aerodactyl w/Aerodactylite
My beautiful, beautiful lead. Also benefits well from sandstorm since it can tank an extra thunderbolt or ice beam, though Aerodactly usually dies before Hippowdon comes in.
Taunt: Has been so useful against so many enemies, and works great for his lead role. The only problem is pranksters like Klefki and Whimsicott (I briefly ran it alongside follow me Togekiss to avoid this, but Togekiss is OU)
Stealth Rocks: Previously my Cradily had it but he never went out soon enough in the game to make use of it. I replaced crunch, which Stoutland has anyway, with this so Aerodactyl acts as a better lead.
Iron Head: Surprises the many ice type hail setters, fairy types, and other threats and is also fairly powerful with tough claws. I prefer the reliability of it over stone edge, but it can be replaced with a better coverage move.
Aerial Ace: With STAB and tough claws it becomes pretty powerful. Great for Breloom and the grass and fighting types that threaten the team.
EVs: Max speed, max attack, 4 HP. Typical.
Sigilyph w/flame orb
Flame orb allows it to take status attacks, which otherwise cripple my cleric-less, very physical and defensive, team. Sigilyph leads off alongside Aerodactly often to get off tailwind, then retreats into Hippowdon or Empoleon (depending on if he's being targeted by thunderbolt or ice beam).
He has magic guard obviously. His typing is invaluable as it helps against the massive fighting weakness my team has.
Tailwind: Really helps Empoleon and Cradily in their sweeping antics (in doubles), since they'd usually be too slow. I can't fully judge the effectiveness of this though since I only recently changed Sigilyph's set from the usual roost, stored power, calm mind, protect.
Roost: Handy recovery. Pretty invaluable.
Psychic: I previously had stored power and calm mind instead of this, but way too often did it leave me screwed against dark types. Psychic is STAB boosted and powerful, and takes down fighting types handily. Dazzling Gleam or Dark Pulse is more versatile in my opinion, but I'm not sure if it's worth the loss in power.
Toxic: This is meant to, alongside roost, handle dark types who Sigilyph otherwise can't take. Again, I haven't really tested this out yet.
EVs: No clue. it's meant to take fighting hits, so defense investment seems good, but thunderbolt and ice beam are major threats to Sigilyph so SpD investment is also good. Either way I'll have max HP, but I'm totally unsure about how to run Sigilyph in general.
Stoutland w/choice band
Revenge killer and good coverage. He dies quickly, but always takes someone down with him.
Superpower: Since Stoutland usually switches out anyway, this takes down a lot of threats.
Crunch: I previously had pursuit, but enemies NEVER switched out of Stoutland. So, crunch instead.
Retaliate: It OHKOs a lot of enemies when Stoutland is revenge killing, but I sometimes get put in a position where I can't switch out, so maybe Return is a more solid option.
Wild Charge: Coverage in general. Tends to be very useful.
EVs: 252 speed 252 attack 4 HP. Simple really.
Stoutland tends to pull his weight, though sometimes disappoints. I might run life orb instead of Choice band, especially since Stoutland maybe doesn't run as a great revenge killer in a team where half the pokemon have recovery moves and are meant to survive.
Empoleon w/Assault Vest
I chose Assault vest since I can't think of any moves except protect that Empoleon might run in doubles and that aren't attacking. When Empoleon is fully specially defensive, AV boosts that stat to pretty insane levels, but is still useful if I go slightly more mixed and put EVs in defense and HP instead. Overall, Empoleon is a support pokemon that can actually hit back pretty well. The lack of recovery hurts really badly though, and I do find that protect would be useful in a lot of situations ...
I replaced Rhyperior with Empoleon because ice attacks were destroying me. Sadly, he hasn't been nearly as bulky or powerful as AV Rhyperior.
Surf: Boosted by torrent, gives Cradily a SpA boost. Generally useful, and the cornerstone behind the Cradily sweep.
Icy Wind: a speed drop is consistently useful, though Icy wind's power without SpA investment is pretty pathetic. it barely scratches Landorus and Garchomp.
Grass Knot: I haven't needed to use this yet actually, which is odd. It and Flash cannon are easily replaceable if I ditch assault vest.
Flash Cannon: Has helped against the ice types Empoleon switches into and against fairies, but the power is pretty mediocre.
EVs: I could go max SpD and HP and make it a special tank, but when supporting Cradily Empoleon will take a whole variety of moves, and the fighting and ground type moves that tend to destroy Empoleon are better resisted with defense investment. Currently it's max HP max defense.
Cradily w/Leftovers
Leftovers increases Cradily's survivability while it's trying to set up its sweep with Empoleon. Cradily's storm drain is immensley useful in some battles, and not so much in others, but I can't imagine doing away with Cradily.
Protect: One turn of recovery, one turn of sandstorm damage, great for scouting against moves that threaten it.
Recover: Cradily tends to take quite a lot of damage when preparing it's sweep, so quick recovery is great.
Giga Drain: After a couple of storm drain boosts, this easily OHKOes types that it hits super effectively and fully restores Cradily, while OHKOing even neutral resist types that are frail. When it's SpA is fully maxed out? Cradily's speed is it's only downside.
Sludge Wave: Very powerful after a couple of boosts and hits both enemies. Plus, Cradily needs more coverage against types that resist Giga drain.
EVs: Max HP-max defense. It doesn't need SpD EVs due to the sandstorm boost, personally. I think this EV spread gives Cradily the bulk it needs to set up a sweep, instead of sweep immediately.
So, that's my team so far. It has a lot of flaws, like the lack of proper offensive power, the heavy weaknesses to certain types, lack of a cleric, and inability to handle certain threats. I really want some help in making a useable team I can IV breed and train in game and use for wi-fi battling and showdown alike. Any help with changing movesets, changing pokemon, and information on certain threats in UU (I also need to know if it's worth making this a doubles team, where I'll be facing far superior OU and Uber pokemon, or making it purely UU, where I can't use certain tactics) would be really appreciated.
I'm new to competitive battling and so I'm trying out some strategies and team on Showdown. My current team I'm testing is a sandstorm team, and I'm hoping I can get some advice on it. It's meant to be an UU team, but currently I'm using Hippowdon instead of eviolite Hippopotas because otherwise I don't have a chance against OU and Uber pokemon I have to face. I also use a lot of doubles tactics, but I'm unsure if it's wise to have a team that can work in both UU and doubles.
Hippowdon w/Smooth Rock
Sand setter and tank in general.
I have it holding Smooth Rock to extend sandstorm duration, obviously. Sadly, when I make the transition to Hippopotas, I'll have to swap that with eviolite. I'm thinking of who else in my team might have space to run sandstorm.
Slack Off: Fantastic recovery, I can't do away with it.
Earthquake: Stab and powerful, I also have Sigilyph and Aerodactly on my team who are immune to it in doubles. Sadly, I end up getting walled by flying types in the end-game a LOT.
Whirlwind: Invaluable against shell-smashers and Quiver Dancers. They pop up a lot.
Protect: Gives an extra turn of sandstorm damage and allows Hippowdon to take ally Empoleon's surf if it comes to it.Also helps stall out trick room teams. Replaceable, though, and I might swap it with toxic, yawn, or stone edge.
EVs: Currently I'm running 252 HP 252 Def.
It works as a brilliant physical tank, but can take nothing else. I figure I might go max SpD and HP instead, since Hippowdon needs to take all sorts of attacks when switching in.
Aerodactyl w/Aerodactylite
My beautiful, beautiful lead. Also benefits well from sandstorm since it can tank an extra thunderbolt or ice beam, though Aerodactly usually dies before Hippowdon comes in.
Taunt: Has been so useful against so many enemies, and works great for his lead role. The only problem is pranksters like Klefki and Whimsicott (I briefly ran it alongside follow me Togekiss to avoid this, but Togekiss is OU)
Stealth Rocks: Previously my Cradily had it but he never went out soon enough in the game to make use of it. I replaced crunch, which Stoutland has anyway, with this so Aerodactyl acts as a better lead.
Iron Head: Surprises the many ice type hail setters, fairy types, and other threats and is also fairly powerful with tough claws. I prefer the reliability of it over stone edge, but it can be replaced with a better coverage move.
Aerial Ace: With STAB and tough claws it becomes pretty powerful. Great for Breloom and the grass and fighting types that threaten the team.
EVs: Max speed, max attack, 4 HP. Typical.
Sigilyph w/flame orb
Flame orb allows it to take status attacks, which otherwise cripple my cleric-less, very physical and defensive, team. Sigilyph leads off alongside Aerodactly often to get off tailwind, then retreats into Hippowdon or Empoleon (depending on if he's being targeted by thunderbolt or ice beam).
He has magic guard obviously. His typing is invaluable as it helps against the massive fighting weakness my team has.
Tailwind: Really helps Empoleon and Cradily in their sweeping antics (in doubles), since they'd usually be too slow. I can't fully judge the effectiveness of this though since I only recently changed Sigilyph's set from the usual roost, stored power, calm mind, protect.
Roost: Handy recovery. Pretty invaluable.
Psychic: I previously had stored power and calm mind instead of this, but way too often did it leave me screwed against dark types. Psychic is STAB boosted and powerful, and takes down fighting types handily. Dazzling Gleam or Dark Pulse is more versatile in my opinion, but I'm not sure if it's worth the loss in power.
Toxic: This is meant to, alongside roost, handle dark types who Sigilyph otherwise can't take. Again, I haven't really tested this out yet.
EVs: No clue. it's meant to take fighting hits, so defense investment seems good, but thunderbolt and ice beam are major threats to Sigilyph so SpD investment is also good. Either way I'll have max HP, but I'm totally unsure about how to run Sigilyph in general.
Stoutland w/choice band
Revenge killer and good coverage. He dies quickly, but always takes someone down with him.
Superpower: Since Stoutland usually switches out anyway, this takes down a lot of threats.
Crunch: I previously had pursuit, but enemies NEVER switched out of Stoutland. So, crunch instead.
Retaliate: It OHKOs a lot of enemies when Stoutland is revenge killing, but I sometimes get put in a position where I can't switch out, so maybe Return is a more solid option.
Wild Charge: Coverage in general. Tends to be very useful.
EVs: 252 speed 252 attack 4 HP. Simple really.
Stoutland tends to pull his weight, though sometimes disappoints. I might run life orb instead of Choice band, especially since Stoutland maybe doesn't run as a great revenge killer in a team where half the pokemon have recovery moves and are meant to survive.
Empoleon w/Assault Vest
I chose Assault vest since I can't think of any moves except protect that Empoleon might run in doubles and that aren't attacking. When Empoleon is fully specially defensive, AV boosts that stat to pretty insane levels, but is still useful if I go slightly more mixed and put EVs in defense and HP instead. Overall, Empoleon is a support pokemon that can actually hit back pretty well. The lack of recovery hurts really badly though, and I do find that protect would be useful in a lot of situations ...
I replaced Rhyperior with Empoleon because ice attacks were destroying me. Sadly, he hasn't been nearly as bulky or powerful as AV Rhyperior.
Surf: Boosted by torrent, gives Cradily a SpA boost. Generally useful, and the cornerstone behind the Cradily sweep.
Icy Wind: a speed drop is consistently useful, though Icy wind's power without SpA investment is pretty pathetic. it barely scratches Landorus and Garchomp.
Grass Knot: I haven't needed to use this yet actually, which is odd. It and Flash cannon are easily replaceable if I ditch assault vest.
Flash Cannon: Has helped against the ice types Empoleon switches into and against fairies, but the power is pretty mediocre.
EVs: I could go max SpD and HP and make it a special tank, but when supporting Cradily Empoleon will take a whole variety of moves, and the fighting and ground type moves that tend to destroy Empoleon are better resisted with defense investment. Currently it's max HP max defense.
Cradily w/Leftovers
Leftovers increases Cradily's survivability while it's trying to set up its sweep with Empoleon. Cradily's storm drain is immensley useful in some battles, and not so much in others, but I can't imagine doing away with Cradily.
Protect: One turn of recovery, one turn of sandstorm damage, great for scouting against moves that threaten it.
Recover: Cradily tends to take quite a lot of damage when preparing it's sweep, so quick recovery is great.
Giga Drain: After a couple of storm drain boosts, this easily OHKOes types that it hits super effectively and fully restores Cradily, while OHKOing even neutral resist types that are frail. When it's SpA is fully maxed out? Cradily's speed is it's only downside.
Sludge Wave: Very powerful after a couple of boosts and hits both enemies. Plus, Cradily needs more coverage against types that resist Giga drain.
EVs: Max HP-max defense. It doesn't need SpD EVs due to the sandstorm boost, personally. I think this EV spread gives Cradily the bulk it needs to set up a sweep, instead of sweep immediately.
So, that's my team so far. It has a lot of flaws, like the lack of proper offensive power, the heavy weaknesses to certain types, lack of a cleric, and inability to handle certain threats. I really want some help in making a useable team I can IV breed and train in game and use for wi-fi battling and showdown alike. Any help with changing movesets, changing pokemon, and information on certain threats in UU (I also need to know if it's worth making this a doubles team, where I'll be facing far superior OU and Uber pokemon, or making it purely UU, where I can't use certain tactics) would be really appreciated.