Its been quite a while since I have made an RMT. I kind of took a break from Mons due to fatigue and other things occupying my time. Eitherway, I have recently got back into the game. This time I am bringing you a bulkier Sand team, using Volcanion. Volcanion and Tyranitar can break down the opposing team for Excadrill to clean late game, Volcanion can overwhelm Mons like Rotom-Wash, making it difficult for the opponent to check Excadrill late game.
1. Proof of Peak
2. Teambuilding Process
3. The Pokémon
4. Threats
5. Replays
6. Conclusion
Proof of Peak:
Teambuilding Process:
I have been a huge fan of Choice Band Tyranitar lately. I decided it could be my starting point for this team. Excadrill is a natural partner, and I figured I could go a Sand route with these two.
Volcanion was my next Mon. I figured Volcanion could help the other two in dealing with walls like Corviknight and Buzzwole. Tyranitar can also help Volcanion, by dealing with the SlowThings. Volcanion and Excadrill have some checks in common, and Volcanion can wear them down, later to the them being unable to check Excadrill.
Considering my ground type was Excadrill, I would need a Zeraora and Tapu Koko answer. Amoonguss is generally an off meta pick, but it fit this team very comfortably. Amoonguss is also our check to Urshifu.
Because my Tyranitar is offensive, checking Dragapult can be tricky with it. Therefore, Heatran is the special blanket of the team. Heatran is our check to Tapu Lele, Dragapult etc. Most Dragapult will be clicking Draco Metoer, considering we have a Tyranitar. Tyranitar takes around 60 from it, and won't enjoy eating the hit. Heatran can easily shrug off Draco, and will only take around 30 from Shadow Ball. I was originally planning on running Flame Body, due to Volcanion being able to check Volcarona, but Victini became too much of an issue, making me switch to Flash Fire.
Lastly we have Skarmory. Skarmory is great here, as it gives us a good physical wall that is capable of taking on Kartana, Rillaboom, Dragonite etc. Spikes are also great as they can help support our breakers. Due to Excadrill having Rapid Spin, we will not need to worry about removing our own hazards.
The Pokémon:
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
I run the standard Choice Band set. Dual STABS + the Elemental Punches. You can swap out Ice Punch for Earthquake if Heatran is too problematic for you. Keeping Tyranitar alive is very important against Stall. Tyranitar can often overwhelm the opposition, and clear the way for Excadrill. Not much else to elaborate on, Tyranitar will do Tyranitar things.
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
I decide to go with the Air Balloon on Excadrill. This allows Excadrill to set up on ground types like Landorus Hippowdon and Garchomp. The latter often running ProTox as of late, making it set up fodder. Excadrill is usually gonna be your late game cleaner. Rapid Spin is important for our next mon.
Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Sludge Bomb
Volcanion is our second breaker for the squad. Volcanion is gonna be great at dealing with Ferrothorn and Corviknight, which help our Sand Buddies. Volcanion can help overwhelm Rotom Wash and Tapu Fini, later making it difficult for those two to check Excadrill. Tyranitar also does a great job of dealing with Blissey, and the SlowThings.
Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
- Spore
Amoonguss is the bulky grass for the team. Spore is great at slowing down opposing mons, being a wall or an offensive threat. Amoonguss is important for dealing with Zeraora and Urshifu, so make sure to keep him healthy at all times. Foul Play is excellent at hitting an SD Kartana for heavy damage. I run Black Sludge over Rocky Helmet as I would like to nullify the Sand Chip.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 228 SpD / 28 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
Heatran is the special blanket for the team, being able to take on Dragapult, Tapu Lele etc. Try to always bring in Heatran on Dragapult unless you are confident in them clicking Shadow Ball. Heatran is our rocks setter, allowing us to run Spikes on Skarmory. Taunt is great at trapping Volcarona and Toxapex (No Shed Shell.)
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Body Press
- Spikes
- Roost
- Toxic
Skarmory is great for tanking the hits of Kartana, Weavile etc. Skarmory will lay spikes, making our breakers even more terrifying to switch into. Toxic is important for being able to deal with Dragonite. Toxic can also annoy the grounds, like Landorus Garchomp and Hippo. Toxic also hurts the Zapdos and Rotom Wash trying to come in on Skarm. The Speed evs are to outrun no speed Heatran.
Threats:
Here we go again. Excadrill needs to be alive at all times. Tyranitar is important to keep healthy so it can live a hit.
With one SD, this thing will likely sweep your team. Your best bet is to keep Skarmory healthy, take the Flare Blitz, and deliver Recoil, to finish it off with Body Press. Setting up sand is also an option but sacking Tyranitar can be very bad.
We have no resist to the dual STABS, Skarmory can take the Brave Birds all day but can't afford to come in on CC. Opposite for Amoonguss. However i the opponent isn't banded, then Skarmory walls for days.
Skarmory can soft check Weavile, but it isn't very easy. Likely Weavile will click Knock Off to remove Skarm's helmet, then start clicking TA. Heatran can take this, but Knock Off does a hefty chunk. Vs Beat Up, its best that you lead Tyranitar or Skarmory, so they can't get much mileage at the start. This is banded of course tho. Skarmory can wall SD, at +2, you won't be taking over 70, so you should be good to just BP, or Roost if you still have your Helmet.
Heatran isn't very problematic unless it is Timid. Timid outruns Volcanion, and can OHKO if I take rocks. Often you want to keep Volcanion and Tyranitar healthy. If it's not Timid, this mu shouldn't be too difficult.
Replays:
Volcanion takes down Stall https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1621033464-e449xakck29m4o64x34u6eylijim0e2pw
Vs Beat Up Weavile https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1621007783-7tujmoobn8ybezh7u1bmnvwk675wt5jpw
Amoonguss walls everybody https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1621000432-c7de69jknhhs9xtaqcwcx1q7ivbj7ugpw
Volcanion is a monster https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1620889847-wctfkg3tqowhx4q87u7x3e9s3xur1hypw
Vs Healing Wish Balance https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1620881485-258pfl7qfkjqi2iyn7vpdwkqbc0vhxepw
Vs Storm Zone using HO https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1620878160-476jrn2p8wimly2y0bqdcn3lqfbxhr5pw
Excadrill goes in https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1620873470-zkiwk88846n4lfqg4f6drqsh9n4gnq7pw
Vs Defiant Offense https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1620871867-90j69qjj55pjr7nq7ztmasdu0qgcrjupw
Excadrill cleans up late game https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1620892489-8s63uioa5kuyqbfuwkbgykmh329mma0pw
Conclusion:
Thank you for reading if you read the whole thing. I would like to give a quick shoutout to Storm Zone for helping fix this team, and suggesting Skarmory over my original flying type (Tornadus).
Here is the pokepaste, have fun with the team: https://pokepast.es/7aa0bfbc288669fe
Check out some of my other RMTs
Nasty Plot Rotom Wash 2050 ELO https://www.smogon.com/forums/threa...ense-peak-2049-elo-3-on-ss-ou-ladder.3701250/
Reuniclus Bulky Offense 1950 ELO https://www.smogon.com/forums/threa...n-ss-ou-ladder-ft-offensive-buzzwole.3700006/
SPECIAL ATTACKING VICTINI HAIL #6 ON SS OU LADDER https://www.smogon.com/forums/threa...tini-hail-1945-elo-6-on-ss-ou-ladder.3698700/
VOLCANION BULKY OFFENSE PEAKED #5 ON SS OU LADDER https://www.smogon.com/forums/threa...s-ou-ladder-ft-choice-band-dragapult.3697199/
CHOICE BAND DRAGONITE BULKY OFFENSE #7 ON SS OU LADDER https://www.smogon.com/forums/threa...y-offense-7-1935-elo-on-ss-ou-ladder.3694073/
GALARIAN ZAPDOS SPIKES OFFENSE https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/gapdos-bulky-offense-1848-elo-42-on-ss-ou-ladder.3695510/
SUICUNE BALANCE https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/suicune-balance-peaked-1823-elo-155-on-ou-ladder.3692120/
