Type: Rock/Dark
Abilities: Sand Stream | Unnerve
Notable moves
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Blast
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Rest
- Thunder Wave
- Stone Edge
- Fire/Ice/Thunder Punch
- Heavy Slam
- Tera Blast
Level Up:
[00] Tackle
[00] Fire Fang
[00] Leer
[00] Ice Fang
[00] Rock Throw
[00] Thunder Fang
[00] Dark Pulse
[00] Payback
[00] Iron Defense
[09] Bite
[12] Scary Face
[15] Rock Slide
[18] Stomping Tantrum
[21] Screech
[24] Smack Down
[27] Crunch
[33] Earthquake
[37] Stone Edge
[42] Thrash
[47] Sandstorm
[52] Hyper Beam
[59] Giga Impact
Egg Moves:
- Stomp
- Focus Energy
- Curse
- Outrage
- Ancient Power
- Iron Defense
- Dragon Dance
- Assurance
- Iron Head
TMs:
[TM001] Take Down
[TM005] Mud-Slap
[TM006] Scary-Face
[TM007] Protect
[TM008] Fire Fang
[TM009] Thunder Fang
[TM010] Ice Fang
[TM012] Low Kick
[TM025] Facade
[TM027] Arial Ace
[TM028] Bulldoze
[TM030] Snarl
[TM034] Icy Wind
[TM035] Mud Shot
[TM036] Rock Tomb
[TM043] Fling
[TM044] Dragon Tail
[TM046] Avalanche
[TM047] Endure
[TM049] Sunny Day
[TM050] Rain Dance
[TM051] Sandstorm
[TM055] Dig
[TM058] Brick Break
[TM061] Shadow Claw
[TM062] Foul Play
[TM066] Body Slam
[TM067] Fire Punch
[TM068] Thunder Punch
[TM069] Ice Punch
[TM070] Sleep Talk
[TM076] Rock Blast
[TM078] Dragon Claw
[TM082] Thunder Wave
[TM084] Stomping Tantrum
[TM085] Rest
[TM086] Rock Slide
[TM087] Taunt
[TM089] Body Press
[TM094] Dark Pulse
[TM099] Iron Head
[TM100] Dragon Dance
[TM101] Power Gem
[TM103] Substitute
[TM104] Iron Defense
[TM108] Crunch
[TM115] Dragon Pulse
[TM116] Stealth Rock
[TM121] Heavy Slam
[TM123] Surf
[TM125] Flamethrower
[TM126] Thunderbolt
[TM130] Helping Hand
[TM133] Earth Power
[TM135] Ice Beam
[TM141] Fire Blast
[TM142] Hydro Pump
[TM143] Blizzard
[TM149] Earthquake
[TM150] Stone Edge
[TM152] Giga impact
[TM156] Outrage
[TM158] Focus Blast
[TM163] Hyper Beam
[TM166] Thunder
[TM171] Tera Blast
[00] Tackle
[00] Fire Fang
[00] Leer
[00] Ice Fang
[00] Rock Throw
[00] Thunder Fang
[00] Dark Pulse
[00] Payback
[00] Iron Defense
[09] Bite
[12] Scary Face
[15] Rock Slide
[18] Stomping Tantrum
[21] Screech
[24] Smack Down
[27] Crunch
[33] Earthquake
[37] Stone Edge
[42] Thrash
[47] Sandstorm
[52] Hyper Beam
[59] Giga Impact
Egg Moves:
- Stomp
- Focus Energy
- Curse
- Outrage
- Ancient Power
- Iron Defense
- Dragon Dance
- Assurance
- Iron Head
TMs:
[TM001] Take Down
[TM005] Mud-Slap
[TM006] Scary-Face
[TM007] Protect
[TM008] Fire Fang
[TM009] Thunder Fang
[TM010] Ice Fang
[TM012] Low Kick
[TM025] Facade
[TM027] Arial Ace
[TM028] Bulldoze
[TM030] Snarl
[TM034] Icy Wind
[TM035] Mud Shot
[TM036] Rock Tomb
[TM043] Fling
[TM044] Dragon Tail
[TM046] Avalanche
[TM047] Endure
[TM049] Sunny Day
[TM050] Rain Dance
[TM051] Sandstorm
[TM055] Dig
[TM058] Brick Break
[TM061] Shadow Claw
[TM062] Foul Play
[TM066] Body Slam
[TM067] Fire Punch
[TM068] Thunder Punch
[TM069] Ice Punch
[TM070] Sleep Talk
[TM076] Rock Blast
[TM078] Dragon Claw
[TM082] Thunder Wave
[TM084] Stomping Tantrum
[TM085] Rest
[TM086] Rock Slide
[TM087] Taunt
[TM089] Body Press
[TM094] Dark Pulse
[TM099] Iron Head
[TM100] Dragon Dance
[TM101] Power Gem
[TM103] Substitute
[TM104] Iron Defense
[TM108] Crunch
[TM115] Dragon Pulse
[TM116] Stealth Rock
[TM121] Heavy Slam
[TM123] Surf
[TM125] Flamethrower
[TM126] Thunderbolt
[TM130] Helping Hand
[TM133] Earth Power
[TM135] Ice Beam
[TM141] Fire Blast
[TM142] Hydro Pump
[TM143] Blizzard
[TM149] Earthquake
[TM150] Stone Edge
[TM152] Giga impact
[TM156] Outrage
[TM158] Focus Blast
[TM163] Hyper Beam
[TM166] Thunder
[TM171] Tera Blast
After the banning of the most prominent Sand Rush user in the Tier, Tyranitar's utility as a Sandstorm setter becomes far less interesting, but with its great stat totals, I doubt it is going anywhere. Since there is two main ways to utilize Tyranitar that are fundamentally very different, I will split this into two parts, one for Tyranitar's potential to be a defensive option, the other for it's potential to be a wallbreaker.
Defensive
Pros
- Good defensive stats along with extra bulk gained from Sand Stream allow it to come in against or check many specially offensive sweepers
- Access to Stealth Rock
- Sandstorm chips away at opposing Pokemon
Cons
- Weak to 7 distinct types including Bug which allows specially offensive sweepers that learn U-turn to chip away at it
- No recovery except for Rest
- Its inability to pressure physical attackers and somewhat bulkier special attackers that aren't weak to it allows them to potentially abuse it
Terastal Potential
Another con of this way of using Ttar is the fact that it can't utilize terastallization too well. Most of it's specially defensive bulk comes from the sandstorm buff which, of course is removed once it turns into any other type. Therefore one of the better terastallization options could be Rock. This allows it to be better versed against U-turn and come in more often against Pokemon like Dragapult that rely on U-turn to chip away at it. Other defensive options include Fairy, Ghost and Flying, although keep in mind that these will cause Tyranitar to be constantly hurt by it's own sandstorm along with it losing defensive stats. Therefore terastallizing in such a way can be a great trick that will keep your Ttar alive for the moment, but might hurt it in the long run.
Potential Set
Tyranitar @ Leftovers/Heavy Duty Boots
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Tera Type: Rock/Fairy/Ghost/Flying
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake/Crunch
- Rest/Thunder Wave
This set allows Tyranitar to come in against pokemon like Volcarona, Iron Moth, Chi-Yu and Dragapult. Leftovers allows Tyranitar to stay alive for longer, but Heavy Duty boots may be better in combination with Rest. It's high attack stat allows it to dish out great damage after coming in. However, keep in mind that previously common defoggers that Ttar used to pressure, like Zapdos and Latios are no longer present in the metagame. Instead Corviknight seems to be the only relevant Defogger currently, which is of course unimpressed by Ttar's meager damage output against it. With Cyclizar currently running rampant and passing substitutes left and right, rock blast is again an absolute must in this metagame, although using it may be risky with Annihilape running around (this will buff its Raging Fist). Hindering this set the most is the fact that it often relies on weakness to knock out opposing sweepers before they can set up. Terastalization allows such a Pokemon to turn into any type which nullifies this strategy quite a bit.
Wallbreaker
Pros
- High attack stat allows it to break through most walls in the format
- Innate tankiness makes it a great check against many specially offensive mons in the format
Cons
- Because of its slow speed and 7 distinct weaknesses it's easily revenge killed
Terastal Potential
Once Ttar is considered as an attacking option it has much better terastal potential, as terastallizing allows it to negate a super effective attack. Best defensive options include Flying, Ghost and Fairy, but also offensive options such as Electric to bait in Corviknight can be considered when using it as a bait.
Potential Set
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Fairy/Ghost/Flying/Electric
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch/Earthquake/Tera Blast/Heavy Slam
Tyranitar is a great wallbreaker thanks to its attack stat and has seen play with Choice Band over the years. This Ttar set works well with Chilly Reception Slowbro and could therefore again see play. Choice Band gives Ttar the extra oumph to break through some of the most common walls. Stone Edge and Crunch are the go-to high damage moves, while Ice Punch allows it to hit Ground Types that like to come in against it. Fire Punch is good against Steel types, but Earthquake could be considered as another option now that Garganacl is around. Heavy Slam can also be considered if you're worried about Iron Valiant.
Other Options
Ttar also learns the rather interesting setup move Dragon Dance, which could also be considered over a Choice Band set. Although with its abysmal speed it is hard to see it work, even with defensive terastallization available.