Advanced Tactics for Sun, Rain, and Sand Teams

Weather teams in Cobblemon add a dynamic layer to competitive battles, amplifying the strengths of specific Cobblemon while disrupting opponents’ strategies. Sun, Rain, and Sand teams are the most popular weather archetypes, each offering unique advantages and challenges. This guide explores advanced tactics to master these weather teams and dominate the battlefield.

What Are Weather Teams?

Weather teams revolve around specific weather effects that provide boosts and abilities to Cobblemon while influencing certain moves:

• Sun: Boosts Fire-type moves, weakens Water-type moves, and activates abilities like Chlorophyll and Solar Power.
• Rain: Boosts Water-type moves, weakens Fire-type moves, and activates abilities like Swift Swim and Hydration.
• Sand: Boosts the Special Defense of Rock-types, causes chip damage to non-Steel, Ground, or Rock-types, and activates abilities like Sand Rush and Sand Force.

Core Elements of Weather Teams

1. Weather Setters

Cobblemon that activate weather effects through abilities or moves form the foundation of any weather team.

• Sun Setters:
  • Torkoal (Drought): Reliable Sun setter with access to Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock.
  • Ninetales (Drought): A faster alternative with good Special Attack.
• Rain Setters:
  • Pelipper (Drizzle): Dual-role Rain setter with U-turn and Hurricane.
  • Politoed (Drizzle): A bulkier option with access to status moves like Toxic.
• Sand Setters:
  • Tyranitar (Sand Stream): A powerful tank with versatile utility.
  • Hippowdon (Sand Stream): A bulky Sand setter with access to recovery moves like Slack Off.

2. Weather Abusers

These Cobblemon thrive under specific weather conditions, taking advantage of boosted moves or speed-enhancing abilities.

• Sun Abusers:
  • Venusaur (Chlorophyll): Doubled Speed in Sun, with powerful Grass and Fire-type coverage.
  • Charizard-Y (Solar Power): Devastating Special Attacker with boosted Fire moves.
• Rain Abusers:
  • Kingdra (Swift Swim): Doubled Speed and boosted Water STAB make it a deadly sweeper.
  • Barraskewda (Swift Swim): Exceptional Speed and Attack under Rain.
• Sand Abusers:
  • Excadrill (Sand Rush): Doubled Speed in Sand, with strong offensive utility.
  • Garchomp (Sand Veil): Increased evasion and powerful physical presence.

Advanced Tactics for Sun Teams

1. Boost Speed with Chlorophyll

Sun teams excel in Speed control, using Chlorophyll to outspeed even the fastest threats.

• Example: Venusaur with Chlorophyll can sweep after setting up with Growth.

2. Exploit Solar Power

Special attackers like Charizard-Y can decimate opponents with Solar Power-boosted Fire moves.

• Example: Fire Blast under Sun deals massive damage, even to neutral targets.

3. Pair with Rock-Resistant Partners

Sun teams often struggle against Rock-types due to Stealth Rock. Include Rock-resistant Cobblemon like Excadrill or Rotom-Wash.

Advanced Tactics for Rain Teams

1. Abuse Hurricane

Rain teams enable moves like Hurricane to have perfect accuracy, adding to their offensive versatility.

• Example: Pelipper with Hurricane can deal with Grass-types that threaten Water Cobblemon.

2. Counter Electric and Grass Threats

Use Ground-types or dual-type Cobblemon like Ferrothorn (Grass/Steel) to handle common Rain counters.

• Example: Ferrothorn sets hazards and walls Electric attackers.

3. Keep Momentum with U-turn/Volt Switch

Rain teams benefit from constant pressure. Include pivot moves to maintain momentum.

• Example: Pelipper’s U-turn into Kingdra under Rain allows for seamless offensive transitions.

Advanced Tactics for Sand Teams

1. Maximize Sand Rush

Sand teams capitalize on Speed boosts from Sand Rush, making Cobblemon like Excadrill and Dracozolt difficult to outspeed.

• Example: Excadrill with Sand Rush can outspeed and KO faster threats with Earthquake.

2. Exploit Chip Damage

Sandstorm inflicts residual damage on non-resistant Cobblemon, wearing down opponents over time.

• Example: Use Toxic or Stealth Rock alongside Sandstorm for maximum chip damage.

3. Include Special Tanks

Sand teams boost the Special Defense of Rock-types, making them excellent special walls.

• Example: Tyranitar with Assault Vest becomes a virtually unbreakable special tank.

Building a Balanced Weather Team

1. Include Hazard Control

Weather teams rely on frequent switching, making hazard removal essential.

• Best Options:
  • Defog: Mandibuzz, Corviknight.
  • Rapid Spin: Excadrill, Torkoal.

2. Balance Offense and Defense

While weather teams are often offensively oriented, include defensive Cobblemon to handle specific threats.

• Example: Gastrodon (Water/Ground) for Electric and Water immunity in Rain or Sand teams.

3. Use Secondary Strategies

Combine weather effects with secondary strategies like status spreading, entry hazards, or Trick Room for flexibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-reliance on Weather Setters
   • If your weather setter is KO’d early, your strategy may fall apart.
   • Solution: Include secondary weather options or versatile Cobblemon.
2. Ignoring Counter-Weather
   • Opponents may bring their own weather or anti-weather strategies.
   • Solution: Use moves like Sunny Day or Rain Dance to reset the field.
3. Lack of Hazard Removal
   • Hazards can cripple weather-reliant Cobblemon.
   • Solution: Always include Defog or Rapid Spin on your team.

Sample Weather Teams

Sun Team Example:

1. Torkoal (Drought): Sets Sun and removes hazards with Rapid Spin.
2. Venusaur (Chlorophyll): Sweeper with Solar Beam, Sludge Bomb, and Growth.
3. Charizard-Y (Solar Power): Special Attacker with Fire Blast and Air Slash.
4. Excadrill (Steel/Ground): Hazard removal and Rock-type resistance.
5. Rotom-Heat (Electric/Fire): Coverage for Water-types.
6. Mandibuzz (Dark/Flying): Defog support and pivot.

Rain Team Example:

1. Pelipper (Drizzle): Sets Rain and pivots with U-turn.
2. Kingdra (Swift Swim): Special sweeper with Hydro Pump and Draco Meteor.
3. Ferrothorn (Grass/Steel): Defensive utility with hazards and Leech Seed.
4. Barraskewda (Swift Swim): Physical sweeper with Liquidation and Close Combat.
5. Rotom-Wash (Electric/Water): Support with Volt Switch and Will-O-Wisp.
6. Excadrill (Steel/Ground): Hazard removal and Electric immunity.

Sand Team Example:

1. Tyranitar (Sand Stream): Sets Sand and provides Special Defense.
2. Excadrill (Sand Rush): Sweeper with Earthquake and Iron Head.
3. Garchomp (Dragon/Ground): Offensive wallbreaker with Swords Dance.
4. Ferrothorn (Grass/Steel): Hazard setter and defensive wall.
5. Rotom-Wash (Electric/Water): Support with Hydro Pump and Volt Switch.
6. Togekiss (Fairy/Flying): Special tank and status spreader.

Conclusion

Mastering Sun, Rain, and Sand teams requires understanding their unique strengths and challenges. By optimizing weather setters, abusers, and support Cobblemon, you can create a cohesive team that controls the battlefield. Experiment with different strategies and adapt to your opponents to unleash the full potential of weather-based gameplay.