cant say
twitch.tv/jakecantsay
~~~
Infinity's TactiSand
So in preparation for the upcoming Johto Classic played over Battle Spot next week, I've been playing around with a few silly strats on the PS! ladder to try and see what everyone else is using and figure out meta trends etc. etc... I was using a version of this team with Assist Sneasel but came across the team that Battle Spot room regular infinitymkds was using and figured I had it all wrong, Persian was the answer instead! This team is heavily influenced by what infinitymkds has been running, but I think I've managed to change this one up enough to be my own. Basically, the team has two cores, and you choose which one to use at team preview. Now we all know that team preview is a delicate art that no one can really explain, but the simplest idea is 'use Persian unless they have Espeon and a bunch of priority users"
Teambuilding Process:
I started with infinity's core, he used Parasect but I don't really like Parasect's non-Assist moves and figured Smeargle was better.
I then had to come up with another 3-Pokemon core that could work on its own. infinity was using sand so I thought about using rain, but that lost to Venusaur which stops Spore so it defeats the purpose of having a separate core. I then tried to run sun but Venusaur lost to Espeon, Ninetales sucks, and I wasn't really feeling Exeggutor. I then went to sand..
Choosing the last slot was hard. I tried Aerodactyl for a bit because of his great speed which allowed for easy revenge killing / cleaning up the match, but he died too easily to both Azumarill and Scizor. I tried Magneton, and still slot him in every now and then, to counter Scizor and check Azumarill, but it left me very weak to Quagsire (I use HP Fire for Scizor, so HP Grass isn't available). This left me with Nidoking, who's great coverage allows me to kill a lot of stuff.
Then, possibly the most important part, I strategically chose some to be shinies and arranged them in the most ~aesthetic way possible.
Now, the sets!
Persian @ Leftovers
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 164 HP / 92 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Assist
- Substitute
- Swagger / Nasty Plot
- Foul Play / Hyper Voice
Pretty self-explanatory, Assist is used to grab Spore, use Sub when they're asleep, Swagger them when you're safe behind a Sub, repeat the process when they wake up and either wait for them to KO themselves with confusion or bop them with Foul Play. If using the Nasty Plot version then it's obviously the same except you rely on Hyper Voice to KO the foe. HP EVs hit a leftovers number, max speed with the rest in Def to help with priority attacks. If using Nasty Plot, move the defense EVs to SpA for a bit more oomph.
Smeargle @ Focus Sash / Custap Berry
Ability: Moody
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Spore / Dark Void
- Counter / Endure
- Mirror Coat / King's Shield
- Destiny Bond
Assist-enabler number 1. The only move(s) that Assist can call is Spore (or Dark Void). The rest are totally filler. Sash with CounterCoat allows Smeargle to actually do something if it comes onto the field. Endure + Custap can be used to ensure you get the Destiny Bond off though, with King's Shield dropping the attack stat of a troublesome attacker. I use both sets about the same amount, not really sure which is best, I think Sash + CounterCoat is though as it can be used to win in a 1v1 situation. Dark Void is an option to hit Grass-types but the accuracy blows.
Ditto @ Choice Scarf / Focus Sash
Ability: Imposter
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Transform
-
-
-
Assist-enabler number 2. Ditto fills out the 3-mon core so that Assist is guaranteed to call Spore every time you use it. Ditto also isn't dead-weight, as it can take advantage of attack boosts from Swagger to sweep a team. Item choice depends on what Smeargle you run, I like Sash Ditto as it allows for flexibility, but since Smeargle requires the Sash for its best set, Scarf is the default option.
Tyranitar @ Chople Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
- Foul Play
- Ice Beam
Here comes the second core, Ttar sets the sand for Sandslash to sweep. Thunder Wave is the best move in the game so it goes on the set by default. Stealth Rock is purely for breaking sashes and Sturdy of sand-immune mons, and (Safety Goggles) Dragonite's Multiscale. Foul play seems odd, but it takes advantage of things like Gyarados and Dragonite that try boosting in front of you, and allows for a Bold Nature instead of Relaxed. Ice Beam bops Dragonite, and puts enough hurt on Skarmory and Donphan for Sandslash to sweep them.
Sandslash @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
The sweeper. Sandslash is actually pretty damn fast in a sandstorm and hits pretty hard too! Moves I think are self-explanatory. EVs allow you to outspeed Electrode (naturally fastest in the format), +1 Adamant Dragonite and Gyarados, and +1 Jolly Feraligatr. Life Orb was chosen because Sandslash needs the immediate power (and 100 base attack isn't exactly amazing).
Nidoking @ Choice Specs
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 248 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Earth Power
The cleaner. Designed to simply kill something when Tyranitar and Sandslash have gone down (because in a perfect world they've taken down one thing each). He is also there to kill the Unaware mons, as they're both really annoying for this team; Sludge Bomb for Clefable, and Hidden Power Grass for Quagsire. Yes, HP Grass only hits Quag. What else should I do to beat it? Straight-forward EVs, hit hard and fast.
Threats:
These guys kill me. They have priority so they can bop Persian before it can put them to sleep, and they beat the sand core as well.
Can't use Spore or Swagger against it and Foul Play is a 3HKO. Sandslash can easily beat it though if sand is up, but a well played Espeon is annoying.
Doesn't care about Spore so you have to hope for Swagger roles so you can get a Sub up and beat it. The sand core doesn't like it either unless you manage to beat it with Nidoking.
So Persian doesn't really care, only if Politoed has Perish Song. The rain definitely beats the sand core though so you've gotta bring Persian and hope for the best.
Just anti-leads my whole team. I have no answer for this, luckily people aren't using it a low in favor of Machamp. But whenever it pops up I lose.
Jolly outspeeds Sandslash at +1, and OHKOes everything. Persian can put to sleep if it hasn't boosted and Swagger it, and use Ditto to take advantage though.
Scarf pretty much beats the whole team.
That's all I can think of right now, there's probably (definitely) more that I'm missing. The thing with this team is that it flat out beats some/most teams, but completely loses to others. You just gotta hope you run into more of the former! For example, I was mid 1400s on the PS ladder, but now I've been running into a lot of teams with both Scizor and Azumarill, and bombed back to the 1200s. I'm wondering how this will fair in the actual competition though..
Nidoking @ Choice Specs
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 248 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Earth Power
Persian @ Leftovers
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 164 HP / 92 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Assist
- Substitute
- Swagger
- Foul Play
Tyranitar @ Chople Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
- Foul Play
- Ice Beam
Ditto @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Imposter
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Transform
-
-
-
Sandslash @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Moody
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Spore
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Destiny Bond
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 248 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Earth Power
Persian @ Leftovers
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 164 HP / 92 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Assist
- Substitute
- Swagger
- Foul Play
Tyranitar @ Chople Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
- Foul Play
- Ice Beam
Ditto @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Imposter
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Transform
-
-
-
Sandslash @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Moody
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Spore
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Destiny Bond
edit:
- changed Sludge Bomb > Wave.
- changed Smooth Rock > Chople Berry
Last edited: