Heliolisk in VGC: Is This Glass Cannon Worth It?

Summary

This discussion at Pokémon Champions | VGC Battles & Tournaments explores the viability of Heliolisk as a glass cannon in a sandstorm and trick room hybrid team. The community analyzes move sets, item choices, and team synergy for core members like Farigiraf, Steelix, and Raichu. It is a great resource for players looking to refine their competitive VGC builds and understand niche tech choices.

snowymaple-42 OP

I'm still new to VGC (got to ultraball 1 and am probably ending the season there) and my main team is a sandstorm/half trick room team. I had some trouble with rain so added heliolisk because
- electric
- dry skin
- interesting speed that outspeeds some important things but still underspeeds others important things in trick room
- shed tail (though I dropped it for grass knot because helio is too fragile so the subs are too fragile if they can even come out, also needed help in mirror match)
- volt switch

And it seems to be doing really well as a life orb glass cannon/wallbreaker. But like I said I'm still new so what am I missing? Full team below with some move notes for weird picks and things I could use advice on:

Farigiraf (armor tail, sassy, 2def, 32spp, 32spdef)
[Lum berry]
- psychic (nice to have but I can't find good times to use)
- trick room
- hyper voice
- thunder (anti-rain + synergy with non-mega raichu lightningrod)

Hippopotas (sand stream, adamant, 32hp, 32att, 2 def)
[Smooth rock]
- high horsepower
- rock slide
- yawn
- slack off

Steelix (sheer force, relaxed, 2hp, 32att, 32def)
[Steelixite]
- high horsepower
- heavy slam
- protect
- rock slide

Snorlax (thick fat, brave, 32hp, 32att, 2def)
[Leftovers]
- double edge
- heat crash
- heavy slam (heat crash seems better most of the time)
- yawn (probably gonna change this)

Raichu (lightningrod, timid, 2hp, 32spatt, 32spd)
[Raichunite X]
- rising voltage
- fake out
- knock off
- trailblaze (completely useless what should I use?)

Heliolisk (dry skin, modest, 2hp, 32spatt, 32spd)
- thunderbolt
- volt switch
- protect
- grass knot

sunnyquiver-34
snowymaple-42 OP

I don't have t-tar yet but thanks for the rest of your advice

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