How to Build a Sand Team in Pokemon Champions
Sand teams combine passive chip damage with Sand Rush speed. Here's the complete guide.
Why Sand is Strong
Sand does three things: chips non-Rock/Ground/Steel Pokemon for ~6% every turn, boosts Rock-type Special Defense by 50%, and doubles the speed of Sand Rush Pokemon. This gives you passive damage pressure, special bulk on your Rock types, and speed control all in one weather.
Unlike rain or sun, sand damage stacks over multiple turns — so longer games heavily favor sand teams. Your Rock-type setter becomes surprisingly bulky on the special side while Sand Rush sweepers outspeed the entire field.
Sand Core Pokemon
Every sand team needs a Sand Stream setter and at least one Sand Rush attacker to exploit the speed boost.
Sand Stream setters: Tyranitar (best — massive bulk + offense, Mega evolution available), Hippowdon (pure bulk + recovery).
Sand Rush sweepers: Excadrill (best — Steel/Ground coverage, high Attack), Dracozolt (unique typing + strong STAB).
Sand abusers: Garchomp (Sand Veil evasion, but Sand Rush preferred competitively), Lycanroc (Sand Rush + priority).
How to Play Sand
Lead options: Tyranitar + Excadrill is the classic lead. Sand activates on switch-in, Excadrill immediately outspeeds and threatens with High Horsepower, Iron Head, and Rock Slide.
Weather wars: Tyranitar wins weather wars against Pelipper and Ninetales by being slower (its weather sets last). Against Torkoal, you're slower — but can switch Tyranitar back in to reset sand.
Rock Slide spam: Under sand, Rock Slide from Tyranitar/Excadrill is incredible — STAB on Tyranitar, spread damage, 30% flinch chance, and you outspeed to maximize flinch value.
Chip + sweep: Let sand chip damage weaken opponents over a few turns, then clean up with Sand Rush attacks. Don't overcommit early.
How to Beat Sand
Override weather: Rain, Sun, or Snow eliminate sand chip and disable Sand Rush. Pelipper + Swift Swim sweeper flips the matchup entirely.
Fighting types: Both Tyranitar and Excadrill are 4x weak to Fighting. Close Combat and Superpower threaten OHKOs.
Intimidate: Cuts Excadrill's and Tyranitar's physical damage. Cycling Intimidate with Incineroar or Landorus neuters their offense.
Ground immunities: Levitate and Flying types avoid Excadrill's strongest STAB (High Horsepower/Earthquake).
Water/Grass moves: Hit both Tyranitar and sand partners super effectively. Rillaboom's Grassy Surge also replaces sand terrain.
