Hello everyone and welcome to my rain dance team. There is a local Pokémon video game tournament at the end of this month and I would very much like everyone's input for my team that I will be entering. It is a doubles tournament (though in the unlikely event it turns to singles, Ferrothorn will lead, in which case please offer suggestions). For the time being same moves are allowed, though if this becomes not the case then please change them how you see fit. Ubers are banned.
This team focuses primarily on setting up the playing field and then attacking later, as well as focusing on rain dance, I will also be utilising entry hazards. What I am concerned about is the infamous Terrakion/ Whimsicott duo, this duo is quite effective at decimating most teams. I will best explain my team and their roles but would like any input at all for how I can better my team, move sets come from Smogon primarily.
My main main questions/ needs are as follows; are the natures suitable, should I replace some Pokémon with others e.g Starmie instead of x, should I change move-sets? Mainly just the general stuff.
Here's my team...
This team focuses primarily on setting up the playing field and then attacking later, as well as focusing on rain dance, I will also be utilising entry hazards. What I am concerned about is the infamous Terrakion/ Whimsicott duo, this duo is quite effective at decimating most teams. I will best explain my team and their roles but would like any input at all for how I can better my team, move sets come from Smogon primarily.
My main main questions/ needs are as follows; are the natures suitable, should I replace some Pokémon with others e.g Starmie instead of x, should I change move-sets? Mainly just the general stuff.
Here's my team...
Politoad @ Sitrus berry
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 200 HP / 56 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature (+SpA, -Atk)
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Perish Song
Politoad will be my leading pokemon. Alongside Ferrothorn, Politoad will start with perish song whilst Ferrothorn sets up entry hazards, afterwards Politoad will attack and damage as much as he can. Perish song will force others to walk into an entry hazard or faint, while also dealing with the T/W combo and baton passing. Pokemon such as Eelektross, his high defence and complete immunity combined with powerful electric attacks means my rain could be used against me. Ninetails with Drought is also a huge problem, turning all my water type attacks into weak ones is a huge problem.
Politoad has been EV trained to top most others in SpA, and at least take care of opponents who have chosen power over defence. Sometimes getting hit results in Politoad losing a lot of health and I have encountered 2HKO's once or twice, so maybe a different berry would prove better.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 224 HP / 32 Def / 252 SpD
Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
Ferrothorn's purpose is to takes as many hits as possible, he will will act as my wall and entry hazard setter-upper, if he is still standing after he has set up the hazards, he can use a powerful gyro ball to attack. Ferrotthorn may be best suited to attack rather than waste time setting up the playing field. His high HP means he can draw out precious PP and block the dominating fighting types, despite being part steel type. Stealth rock will be put out first, then the spikes, adding a few each round, afterwards I will leave him out in the field, as withdrawing him with low speed would prove to be a waste of a turn.
Being a wall, I focused on raising his EV's to sustain all matter of attacks, the rain will weaken fire types, and his high HP will help him in his quest to set up hazards. I am not too worried about his defence as he has a high Def stat, and an average SpD.
Scizor @ Occa berry
Ability: Technician
EVs: 8 HP / 252 Atk / 248 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk -SpA)
- U-turn
- Bug Bite
- Superpower
- Protect
While having a choice scarf maybe better for Scizor. The purpose of Scizor is to hit as hard as he can without being restricted to one move, allowing a versatile approach to dealing with the likes of Terrakion. The Occa berry along with rain will ensure he survives overheats and any other fire attack. He will be my main physical attacker and offer a versatile offence. I'm thinking maybe Scizor should have a dark type attack, maybe pursuit and u-turn, and equip Scizor with choice scarf.
Scizor has been EV trained to to be fast and strong, he can take a few hits being steel type, though his double weakness to fire types is a big problem.
Dragonite @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 108 SpA / 148 SpD
Calm Nature (+Spa, -Atk)
- Hurricane
- Thunder
- Earthquake
- Roost
Dragonite will fully utilise rain, with 100% accuracy on powerful attacks Dragonite will be able to take massive hits, then recover and do the process all over again. Would Dragonite be better off with draco meteor and dragon gem, replacing perhapes roost? Draco Metoer being a last resort in-case Dragonite fails.
A nice spread of EV's gives Dragonite good coverage ove the field, though his reliance on rain may prove to be his biggest weakness. His ability puts him above Salamence, and being more focused on weather attacks, using this move-set seems to be more logical.
These last two I am unsure of using, I struggled to find a good mix to not waste rain while not being weak to electric attacks.
Ludicolo @ Life orb
Ability: Swift swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature (+SpA, -Atk)
- Fake out/ Rain dance
- Hydro pump
- Giga drain
- Ice beam
Resistant to electrics and fast enough to cover its partner, Ludicolo's main objective is to hit hard and fast. Incase rain dance fails Ludicolo can set a new one up, being fast and strong enough to do so. Gaining a huge STAB hydro pump during his stay in battle. Ludicolo is not renowned for being a big threat and often has to rely heavily on outside help. Should he be replaced with someone else?
His EV training specialises his being a special sweeper, along with rain, increasing his speed tenfold, Ludicolo can easily take care of Hydreigons and any other Dragon types, also resisting Heatran.
Rotom W @ Choice specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 232 HP / 56 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature (+SpA, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Hydro pump
- Pain Split
- Thunderbolt
Rotom W is inspired by and used by Ray Rizzo back in 2012's vgc, Rotom can comfortably use the rain to its advantage, should its weak frame get the better of him pain split is always a good option to use. Rotom can be fragile, and as all the other Rotom's are UU this reflects badly on this Rotom. In case the rain stops thunderbolt can be used instead, though perhapes replaing it with volt switch is a better option as I could switch into a Pokémon who can start rain dance again.
Rotom's typing is also very useful, being part ghost means any rapid spinners could be blocked by switching in Rotom. His purpose is reflected by his EV's, a glass canon, his will prove to be a nuisance to other players and whittle down their Pokémon.
I hope my team will give you all some inspiration in order to build your own rain teams. Rain, while an ignored strategy in favour of hard hitters, still remains one of the strongest team archetypes in the game due to not only the sheer power it brings to the table, but also the defensive possibilities it opens up. I do not want to rely heavily on Rain as others may have good counters to it. I am still unsure if I would be better off adding Gliscor to my team, with its hidden ability and wide resistance it offers a good replacement to most of my team. Please offer any feedback, whether you hate or love it, or simply have any additions you think are good to make I would be eternally grateful for your help.
