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Hey everyone I’m looking for ideas on how to improve this team or change some members any ideas are welcomed
Looking for Feedback on a New Pokémon Champions Doubles Team
I'm preparing for a large Pokémon Champions online tournament and I'm currently building a completely new team specifically for the event.
For context, I'm still relatively new to competitive Pokémon. I've only been playing Pokémon Champions for about a month and I have no prior VGC experience. My highest rank so far is Master Ball 2, so I'm still learning a lot about team building, matchups, positioning, and competitive strategy.
I'm posting this because I'd really appreciate feedback from more experienced players. I'm not claiming this team is optimal — I'm trying to understand where the team's weaknesses are and how I can improve it.
The format is Doubles, with Open Team Sheets.
Rather than building around one gimmick, I wanted the team to have multiple modes and be able to adapt to different archetypes.
The main teams/archetypes I'm expecting to face are:
- Sun
- Rain
- Sand
- Trick Room
- Tailwind
- Contrary Mega Staraptor
- Standard Balance
- Redirection/setup
One of the main goals of this team is to have multiple ways of controlling the pace of the game instead of relying on a single strategy.
I also wanted some form of weather disruption.
Instead of running a conventional Sun or Rain team, I wanted to use Sand as a way to interfere with opposing weather. Since Sun and Rain seem particularly common, Tyranitar gives me a way to overwrite opposing weather while also providing a potential offensive mode with Sand Rush Excadrill.
CURRENT CORE
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Mega Tyranitar
Role: Sand setter / weather disruption / physical attacker
Excadrill
Role: Sand Rush attacker
Sinistcha
Role: Redirection / Trick Room control
Sylveon
Role: Fighting resistance / Mega Staraptor answer / special attacker
Talonflame
Role: Tailwind / Ground immunity / Fighting resistance
Rotom-Wash
Role: Rain-compatible attacker / anti-Rain pressure / special attacker
TEAM BUILDING REASONING
----------------
Tyranitar + Excadrill gives us our Sand mode.
The idea isn't necessarily to play Sand every game. Tyranitar can also be brought specifically to overwrite opposing Sun or Rain when necessary.
Excadrill uses Sand Rush and is immune to Sand damage. I'm currently considering Focus Sash because I want to guarantee that Excadrill gets at least one important turn rather than relying entirely on its natural bulk.
Sinistcha is the main utility Pokémon. Rage Powder gives us redirection, while Trick Room allows us to reverse an opponent's Trick Room or potentially use Trick Room ourselves. This gives the team another speed mode besides Sand Rush and Tailwind.
Sylveon was chosen mainly because I wanted something that could help solve Tyranitar's huge Fighting weakness while also threatening Mega Staraptor. Fairy typing gives us a Fighting resistance, while its special damage means we aren't relying on physical attacks against Staraptor.
Talonflame gives us another Fighting resistance, a Ground immunity, and Tailwind. It can also function well in Sun instead of being completely opposed to the weather.
Rotom-Wash is currently the wildcard. I wanted something that could function well if Rain is present while also being able to punish Rain teams with Electric STAB. Levitate also gives us another Ground immunity.
CURRENT SETS
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Mega Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 32 HP / 32 Atk / 2 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
- Protect
Excadrill @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Sinistcha @ Kasib Berry
Ability: Hospitality
EVs: 32 HP / 32 Def / 2 SpD
Bold Nature
- Rage Powder
- Trick Room
- Matcha Gotcha
- Protect
Sylveon @ Fairy Feather
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 2 HP / 32 SpA / 32 SpD
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Moonblast
- Yawn
- Protect
Talonflame @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Tailwind
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Protect
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 2 HP / 32 SpA / 32 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Nasty Plot
- Protect
MAIN CONCERNS / DOUBTS
----------------
I'm not convinced this team is actually finished yet.
My biggest questions are:
1. Is Tyranitar + Excadrill + Sinistcha too common or predictable as a core?
2. Is Mega Tyranitar actually the best Mega for this team, or would another Mega give the six a better overall matchup spread?
3. Is Rotom-Wash actually the best wildcard? I like the Rain interaction, but I'm not completely sold on it yet.
4. Are we too dependent on Tyranitar for weather control?
5. Do we have enough answers to strong Ground attacks, considering Tyranitar and Excadrill can both be pressured by Ground?
6. Are Sylveon and Talonflame enough to handle Mega Staraptor, or should we have a more dedicated answer?
7. Does the team have too many different speed modes (Sand Rush, Tailwind, Trick Room), or is that actually an advantage in Bo3?
8. Are there any obvious archetypes or Pokémon that this six is particularly weak to?
9. Are there better Pokémon that can fill the same roles while making the team less predictable?
10. If you were preparing this team for a large Bo3 tournament, which Pokémon would you replace first and why?
I'm specifically looking for criticism rather than just validation. Since I'm still new to competitive Pokémon and have no prior VGC experience, I'm sure there are things I'm overlooking.
I'd especially appreciate explanations behind suggestions so I can actually learn from the feedback rather than just swapping Pokémon around.
Any suggestions for Pokémon replacements, moves, abilities, EV spreads, or overall strategy are welcome.
I made a team trying to be able to handle as many things as possible, what do you think I could improve
i have built this team with two off meta megas, and i tried it, it might not seem so but is kinda of good it made me do a 6 win streak on champions. but while thinking about the match-ups i found that against a rain team with swampert i really don't have an answer against him and he can sweep this team. if yall have some solutions please tell meeee
I have been playing this team for a few weeks now and still can’t understand it properly feels weak into other Raichu while mine feels slow and frail any thoughts on how to beat Raichu Y
Hey this Is my First time Building a team, i tried make It with some Pokemon that i liked but i am not too happy with the result against Rain teams and sun teams. Can yall help me please?
I’m playing in a tournament next week with the goal of winning it is best of three open team sheet and I plan on using this team anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
I’m playing in a best of 3 open team sheet tournament with some friends next week and I have the goal of winning I plan on bringing this team any thoughts of suggestions?
What is the team's main win condition and overall strategy?
(Share your recent ladder results or tournament record with this team)
I am looking for an opinion about my team, I am new to the competitive world, but I have had good results even though it is still difficult for me to drive it.
What is the team's main win condition and overall strategy?
(Share your recent ladder results or tournament record with this team)
How exactly do you play this team? Is it hard Trick Room, or is Trick Room only there for speed control? Also, what are the roles of each Pokémon? I've been looking for a cool-looking team with Mega Glalie, and this one looks awesome.
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