So, I have a problem here. The two guys you see in the picture are to of my favorite Pokemon overall. And they both appeal a lot to me as physical sweepers this generation, for a number of reasons. Bisharp is a Pokemon that takes a lot of prediction, and that alone makes it stand up in what is most likely going to be a format of either mindless attacking or full stalling. Its standard set of Substitute/Swords Dance/Sucker Punch/Iron Head has great coverage this generation given that Steel doesn't resist Dark anymore, and this, if you don't misplay, allows you to keep at bay common threats like Mega Gengar, Mega Mawile, Talonflame, Magnezone (particularly the choiced variants) and many others. All it takes to work is the right prediction, to set up a substitute at the right time and then bring the pain with the deadly Sucker Punch, supported by a very reliable secondary STAB like Iron Head. Its Defiant ability is going to be fantastic this generation, given that Intimidate is seeing a lot more use (Gyarados now prefers it in order to mega evolve, Mega Manectric has it, and Mawile carries it when it switches in before mega evolving...), and above all given that there is this new entry hazard named Sticky Web, which people use to reduce the Speed stat of opposing Pokemon on the switch: since Bisharp doesn't need speed to be effective, if my foes use Sticky Web on me it will basically turn in a free Swords Dance on the switch. On the other hand, Scolipede is more of a pure sweeper: its base Attack was increased to 100, and thanks to its great base Speed and its brand new Speed Boost ability it can afford being Adamant. If you can switch into something that cannot touch you (Florges comes to mind) and you manage to use Swords Dance on the opponent's switch, then your opponent will have hug troubles dealing with the big insect because, between the mighty STAB moves it gets (Poison Jab that threatens them Fairies and above all the mighty Megahorn) and the fantastic coverage it has access to (Earthquake on top of many other options), a very few Pokemon can take on Scolipede one on one after Speed Boost has started to kick in, specially if its main threats have been previously worn down by the rest of the team. I've seen people around trying to use Scolipede as a baton passer, and I sincerely find that to be a huge waste: with the right support Scolipede can sweep on its own! Please note that this is planned to be an in-game team, and that I alreade have in my possession the perfect "ingredients" to breed myself both a Sucker Punch Defiant Bisharp and a Speed Boost Scolipede, so yeah, it is not a matter of availability, it is a mere matter of picking one. Here is a quick RMT of the team in which the physical sweeper of choice is supposed to fit in: I have tested both in this team and, while going with either means of course that I need to adjust my playstyle accordingly, I have noticed that no change in the line-up of the team is required. The following Pokemon can easily build up a strategy that will eventually allow a final sweep by Bisharp and Scolipede alike. Please notice that the malfunctioning sprites are Greninja and Goodra, in this order.
@ Life Orb Ability: Protean EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Atk Hasty Nature - U-turn - Dark Pulse - Ice Beam - Spikes
@ Tyrannitarite Ability: Sand Stream EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef Adamant Nature - Pursuit - Stone Edge - Stealth Rock - Crunch
@ Assault Vest Ability: Sap Sipper EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef Modest Nature - Sludge Wave - Fire Blast - Draco Meteor - Thunderbolt
@ Leftovers Ability: Water Absorb EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk Bold Nature - Scald - Roar - Protect - Wish
@ Black Sludge Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP Timid Nature - Disable - Sludge Bomb - Shadow Ball - Substitute
I am not including an in-depth description of the reasons that brought me to go with these sets because this post is already getting insanely long, however I will provide further explaination if required. However, just to be respectful of the rules of this sub-forum, I will include an importable, even if, since this is supposed to be an in-game team, it wouldn't be that necessary either.
And this being said, enough of me talking: let's hear the opinions of our community!