What will it take to have Eelektross chosen?
But I should deal with Politoed. The only real use I see for Politoed in OU is Drizzle. Other than that, I can't think of anything Politoed can do well with. Well, on to the sets. And PLEASE CRITIQUE ME. ESPECIALLY ON THIS ONE.
Stall
Nature: Bold
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 DEF and HP, 4 SPDEF
@: Leftovers
-Substitute
-Toxic/Hypnosis/Protect
-Toxic/Hypnosis/Protect
-Scald
What really sucks about Politoed is that I can't come up with a good nickname for this set! It's a load of poo but oh well. The idea is to, well, stall. Scald is the best offensive move for this set because of the Burn, and inflicting Burn status is awesome.
The Chosen Toed
Ability: Drizzle
Nature: Modest/Timid (Modest preferred)
EVs: 252 SPATK and SPEED, 4 HP
@: Choice Specs/Choice Scarf
-Surf/Scald/Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Hyper Voice/Focus Blast
-Mud Bomb/Focus Blast/Psychic
Offensive Politoed obviously. Hyper Voice gets the Normal/Water combo, Mud Bomb hits Electric types, and Focus Blast scores hits on Steel types. I put Psychic as an option because Fighting types are becoming much more dangerous with Conkeldurr and Terrakion making their appearance.
"I'm Singing in the Rain!"
Ability: Drizzle
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 Speed and HP, 4 Defense
@: Grip Claw
-Whirlpool
-Perish Song
-Hypnosis/Toxic
-Protect
Yay, a special nickname! Moving on. Trap with Whirlpool, activate Perish Song, give it a status, Protect, and switch out!
Other Moves
Swagger can confuse
Choice Band can build a Physical set, but don't.
Endeavor can be fun
Encore can be even more fun
Belly Drum is another Physical route, but don't sacrifice bulk
Body Slam is a Normal move to compliment selected Water move, but more importantly, adds paralysis as an option
Water Absorb is an awesome ability if you are using Politoed in a non-rain team. But Politoed's one ticket into the high tiers is Drizzle and there are better Water Absorb Pokemon around like Vaporeon.
Counters
Do I need to say more than "Thunder"? I guess I will. Grass types need to watch for Ice Beam, but they work otherwise. One of my top 5 favorites, Eelektross, can probably take a Surf or Scald and KO with Thunder, Thunderbolt, Wild Charge, Zap Cannon (I'll explain once Eelektross gets chosen for POTW), or maybe even Discharge. Lanturn is easily the best counter thanks to the new (but not preferred) Water Absorb and STAB Thunder.
Since Politoed is more of a stalling Pokemon, Taunt can work wonders. Skill Link Cincinno with Bullet Seed will seal Politoed's fate in an instant, even if it has Substitute up.
Another option is to change the weather completely, since that's what Politoed is focusing on. Ninetails has Drought, Abomasnow has Snow Warning, and Tyranitar and Hippowdon have Sandstream. It is better to use the rain as a method of destroying Politoed, but weather based teams can clash and destroy Politoed. However, that can work against you at the same time.
Speaking of Weather, Pokemon with Cloud Nine ability can ruin Politoed, making Golduck a solid choice. Golduck has the brawn to take on Politoed.
If Politoed is going for offense, Shedinja cannot be touched by Politoed since it has no moves outside of Hidden Power to hit Shedinja.
Basically, Politoed is a pretty tame Pokemon. It may be annoying, but it is in no way threatening. Countering Politoed is like shooting fish in a barrel.
Partners
Prankster Volbeat can Baton Pass Tail Glow to Politoed. I chose Volbeat because Tail Glow now boosts special attack three stages instead of two. Other than that, the conventional teammates are used, which is ironically a good chunk of Politoed's counters like Lanturn, Ludicolo, and Galvantula.
That's all I've got. Now, CRITIQUE ME!!!