Perma Sand Gravity Team Guide In Battlefields OM

Hey guys! Last month in Battlefields OM (Other Metagame), I managed to climb my way into the top 10 using a Perma Sand Gravity team, and I'm super stoked to share the details with you all. This meta, where field effects become permanent, really opens up some unique team-building strategies. Today, I'm going to break down how I built my team, the key strategies I used, and how you can potentially adapt this to your own playstyle.

Understanding the Battlefields Metagame

Before diving into the team itself, let's quickly chat about what makes the Battlefields metagame so special. In this format, field effects like Sandstorm and Gravity stick around for the entire match once they're set up. This means the first few turns are absolutely crucial for establishing your board state and controlling the pace of the game. The permanence of these effects dramatically shifts the value of certain moves and abilities, forcing players to rethink traditional strategies. Weather setters become incredibly valuable, and moves that manipulate terrain or gravity can become game-winning tools. The strategic depth is significantly amplified, making team building a fascinating puzzle to solve. This permanence also makes certain strategies, like setting up entry hazards and then preventing the opponent from removing them, even more potent. You have to consider long-term synergy and how your team functions under a lasting field effect, not just for a few turns. Thinking about how your opponent might try to exploit this permanence is equally crucial, leading to intricate mind games and calculated risks in every match.

The Core Idea: Perma Sand and Gravity

So, my idea revolved around creating a team that could leverage both Perma Sand and Gravity to control the battlefield. Sandstorm, provided by a key team member, not only chips away at the opponent’s health but also boosts the Special Defense of Rock-type Pokémon, making them incredibly bulky. Gravity, on the other hand, grounds Flying-types and Pokémon with Levitate, negating their immunities and making them vulnerable to Ground-type attacks. Combining these two field effects creates a potent combination, boosting my team's survivability while also opening up offensive opportunities. The synergy between Sand and Gravity is particularly effective because it limits the opponent's options and forces them into predictable patterns. This predictability allows me to anticipate their moves and position my team accordingly. Additionally, the residual damage from Sandstorm puts pressure on the opponent to make aggressive plays, which can often lead to mistakes if they aren't careful. The defensive boosts provided by Sandstorm also give my team a buffer against strong special attackers, increasing the overall resilience of my strategy.

Team Building: Key Pokémon and Roles

Building this Perma Sand Gravity team required careful consideration of each Pokémon's role and how they synergize with the overall strategy. I needed a reliable Sand setter, strong Ground-type attackers, and Pokémon that could benefit from both the Sandstorm and Gravity. My team composition was as follows:

1. Hippowdon: The cornerstone of the team, Hippowdon is my primary Sand setter. Its ability, Sand Stream, summons a Sandstorm as soon as it enters the battlefield, providing the initial field effect that my team relies on. Hippowdon is also naturally bulky, allowing it to withstand hits and continue supporting the team. Its access to moves like Earthquake and Stealth Rock further solidifies its role as a defensive pivot and entry hazard setter.

2. Tyranitar: Another excellent Sand setter, Tyranitar brings immense offensive presence to the team. Its ability, Sand Stream, ensures that Sandstorm is up even if Hippowdon faints, providing redundancy and flexibility. Tyranitar's high Attack stat and access to powerful moves like Stone Edge and Crunch make it a formidable threat. Furthermore, its Dark/Rock typing provides valuable coverage against various threats.

3. Excadrill: Excadrill is the star sweeper of the team, thriving under Sandstorm conditions. Its ability, Sand Rush, doubles its Speed in Sand, making it incredibly fast and difficult to outspeed. With a high Attack stat and access to powerful Ground-type moves like Earthquake, Excadrill can quickly sweep through weakened teams. Gravity further enhances Excadrill's effectiveness by eliminating the Ground-type immunity of Flying-types and Levitate users.

4. Garchomp: A versatile and powerful Pokémon, Garchomp serves as both an offensive threat and a utility Pokémon. Its high Speed and Attack stats, combined with moves like Earthquake and Swords Dance, make it a potent sweeper. Garchomp's ability, Rough Skin, also punishes physical attackers, adding another layer of disruption. Like Excadrill, Garchomp benefits greatly from Gravity, turning its Ground-type moves into a reliable form of offense against previously immune targets.

5. Skarmory: Skarmory provides valuable defensive support and hazard control to the team. Its Steel/Flying typing grants it numerous resistances, and its ability, Sturdy, ensures that it can always take at least one hit. Skarmory can set up Spikes, providing additional chip damage, and use Whirlwind to phaze out setup sweepers. While Skarmory doesn't directly benefit from Sandstorm or Gravity, its defensive presence and utility moves are crucial for controlling the battlefield.

6. Aegislash: Aegislash is a unique and versatile Pokémon that adds a layer of unpredictability to the team. Its ability, Stance Change, allows it to switch between offensive and defensive forms, making it difficult to predict and counter. Aegislash's access to powerful moves like Shadow Ball and King's Shield gives it both offensive and defensive capabilities. Its Ghost/Steel typing provides valuable resistances and immunities, helping it to switch into various threats.

Strategies and Gameplay

The core strategy of this team revolves around setting up Sandstorm and Gravity as quickly as possible. Hippowdon or Tyranitar usually lead to establish Sandstorm, while a subsequent Gravity from another team member helps to capitalize on the grounded opponents. From there, Excadrill and Garchomp become the primary offensive threats, sweeping through weakened teams. Skarmory and Aegislash provide defensive support, hazard control, and disrupt the opponent's strategies.

Early Game:

The early game is crucial for setting up the field conditions. I typically lead with Hippowdon to set up Sandstorm. If I predict the opponent will lead with a hazard setter, I might switch to Skarmory to prevent them from setting up. The goal is to get Sandstorm up as quickly as possible and then follow up with Gravity. A well-timed Gravity can immediately put the opponent at a disadvantage, grounding Flying-types and Pokémon with Levitate.

Mid Game:

Once Sandstorm and Gravity are in place, the mid-game focuses on applying pressure with my sweepers. Excadrill and Garchomp are my primary attackers during this phase, using their powerful Ground-type moves to exploit the grounded opponents. Skarmory provides hazard support, setting up Spikes to further chip away at the opponent's health. Aegislash acts as a pivot, switching between its offensive and defensive forms to disrupt the opponent's strategy and absorb hits.

Late Game:

The late game is about cleaning up and securing the win. By this point, the opponent's team is usually weakened from Sandstorm damage and Ground-type attacks. Excadrill, Garchomp, and Tyranitar can often sweep through the remaining Pokémon. Aegislash can also finish off weakened opponents or stall with King's Shield to run out the clock. Maintaining Sandstorm and Gravity is crucial in the late game, as it continues to provide offensive and defensive advantages.

Key Matchups and Challenges

Like any team, this Perma Sand Gravity team has its strengths and weaknesses. It excels against teams that rely on Flying-types or Levitate, as Gravity completely negates their immunities. It also performs well against teams that struggle with residual damage, thanks to Sandstorm chipping away at their health. However, the team faces challenges against certain matchups.

Tough Matchups:

• Grass-type teams: Grass-types resist Ground-type attacks, making it difficult for Excadrill and Garchomp to sweep. Additionally, Grass-type moves can threaten Hippowdon and Tyranitar.
• Rain teams: Rain cancels out Sandstorm, negating the defensive boosts for my Rock-types and the Speed boost for Excadrill. Additionally, Water-type attacks can threaten my Ground-type Pokémon.
• Teams with strong priority moves: Priority moves can bypass Excadrill's Speed advantage under Sandstorm, making it vulnerable to being revenge killed.

Adaptations and Tech Choices:

To address these challenges, I’ve considered a few adaptations and tech choices. Adding a Pokémon with access to a strong Ice-type move can help against Grass-types. Including a Pokémon with Rain Dance can allow me to reverse the weather and counter Rain teams. Furthermore, incorporating moves like Protect on key Pokémon can help mitigate the threat of priority moves.

Final Thoughts and Tips

Overall, this Perma Sand Gravity team has been incredibly successful in the Battlefields OM metagame. The combination of Sandstorm and Gravity creates a powerful synergy, providing both offensive and defensive advantages. By carefully selecting Pokémon and understanding the metagame, I was able to climb into the top 10. Building a successful team in any metagame, especially one as unique as Battlefields, requires experimentation and adaptation. Don't be afraid to try out different Pokémon, moves, and strategies. Understanding your team's strengths and weaknesses is crucial for success. Good luck, and have fun battling!

I hope this breakdown has given you some insights into building a successful Perma Sand Gravity team in the Battlefields OM. Remember, the key is understanding the metagame, building a team with strong synergy, and adapting your strategy to your opponent. Happy battling, and maybe I’ll see you on the ladder!