I've always liked Ludicolo. It is one of the best Subseeders in the game, and can be killer in the rain. Rain Dish is the equivalent of Leftovers, so you get free Leftovers and any other item you want. Swift Swim gives him amazing sweeping capabilities. So, without further ado, let's begin the rating.
Subseeder
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Scald / Giga Drain
- Toxic / Synthesis
Item: Leftovers / Wise Glasses
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs and Nature: Timd (+Spd, -Atk)
252 Hp / 200 Def / 56 Sp. Def / 4 Spd
This set works best in the rain, so let's pretend it's in the rain right now. Substitute makes him temporarily invincible, Leech Seed, Leftovers, and Rain Dish heal the damage you just took. Toxic because you're stalling anyway, but Synthesis is for that extra bit of health for another Sub. Scald is STAB, powered up in the rain, and can burn, but Giga Drain is also STAB and heals you. If you manage to set up substitute, this can be the most annoying set you have ever faced.
Swift Dancer
- Energy Ball
- Ice Beam
- Scald / Surf
- Giga Drain / Hydro Pump
Items: Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim / Rain Dish
EVs and Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk) or Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
4 Hp / 252 Sp. Atk / 252 Spd
Typical sweeping Ludicolo. Self explanatory. Energy Ball STAB, Ice Beam coverage, Scald for burn, Surf for power, Giga Drain to heal, Hydro Pump for overkill. The only problem with this set is the Swift Swim and Drizzle are banned, and since that is so common in teams, you can run Timid over Modest, and have Rain Dish to heal LO recoil. But SS is better.
Dancing with Swords
- Swords Dance
- Fake Out
- Waterfall
- Return / Brick Break / Zen Headbutt
Item: Life Orb
Abilities: Swift Swim / Rain Dish
EVs and Natures: Jolly (+Spd, -Sp. Atk) or with SS Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
I don't really know where I'm trying to go with this set, but I saw Swords Dance and thought, "Oooh, Swords Dance, let's use it in a set!" But, watevs, at least he has Waterfall. Swords Dance is Swords Dance, Fake Out is annoying, and Waterfall is his only good physical STAB. The last attack is whatever you want. Return has pretty decent power (107), Brick Break breaks screens and Rock types... Zen Headbutt is coverage? I guess so.
Double and Triple Options
He can do pretty decent, actually. He has Surf. That's about it.
Partners
Drizzletoad is Ludicolo's best friend. Ludicolo has two abilities that rely on Rain; one heals him, the other makes him a sweeper. Also, it powers up his STAB Water attacks, which is awesome. Also, someone to take out Ferrothorn, perhaps a Fighting type?
Counters
I dunno, this guy is kind of hard to counter... Oh wait, Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn completely walls Ludicolo. No Leech Seed, no Grass attacks, but be wary of his Water attacks in the Rain. It does x2.25, which does neutral damage to Ferro. Venasuar also destroys Ludicolo. STAB Sludge Bomb is not something to take lightly.
Overall, Ludicolo is pretty decent. It has awesome abilities, a decent movepool, very few weaknesses, and decent stats.