Flora
Yep, that tasted purple!
Status: 2/2 GP Checks; may be uploaded
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/ludicolo
[Overview]
<p>Ludicolo is one of the most essential Rain Dance sweepers because of his Grass typing, which allows him to strike down the annoying Water-type Pokemon who cause havoc for Rain Dance teams. In the rain, he outruns the majority of UU Pokemon and has enough power to slay them with Energy Ball, Surf, and Ice Beam. Ludicolo also has impressive special bulk, enabling him to stay in and set up against a wide range of foes. Lastly, Ludicolo has access to Swords Dance and an adequate physical movepool, which allows him to foil foes who think he's running a special moveset.</p>
<p>However, Ludicolo has a couple of problems. His base 90 Special Attack is not especially impressive, even when using Surf inthe rain. Ludicolo can also be picked off easily by a number a priority moves, such as ExtremeSpeed, Fake Out, Quick Attack, and Mach Punch. Even then, Ludicolo stands out as a useful Rain Dance abuser who helps keep the offensive momentum going.</p>
[SET]
name: UU Offensive Rain (Special)
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance / Hidden Power Psychic / Focus Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to sweep through teams once Rain Dance is present. As Ludicolo is usually paired with other Rain Dance sweepers, his main role is to remove Water-type Pokemon who may annoy them.</p>
<p>In the rain, Surf will be the main source of damage. If Ludicolo needs more power, then Hydro Pump is a great alternative. Energy Ball allows Ludicolo to strike down Water-type Pokemon who resist Ludicolo's Water attacks. Ice Beam hits Grass-type Pokemon and Altaria for super effective damage. Surf, Energy Ball, and Ice Beam grant Ludicolo great coverage, leaving the fourth slot open for a support move. Rain Dance lets Ludicolo set up rain to maintain offensive momentum. Hidden Power Psychic OHKOes Toxicroak, while Focus Punch can be used to hit Clefable and Chansey while they recover.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>To figure out if you need to use Surf or Hydro Pump on Ludicolo, here are some damage calculations:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>Surf vs. 236 HP / 156 SDef Careful Registeel: 40.7% - 48.1% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 236 HP / 156 SDef Careful Registeel: 51.1% - 60.2% </li>
<li>Surf vs. 80 HP / 0 SDef Impish Hariyama: 86.9% - 100% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 80 HP / 0 SDef Impish Hariyama: 100% </li>
<li>Surf vs. 52 HP / 0 SDef Jolly Mesprit: 78.7% - 93% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 52 HP / 0 SDef Jolly Mesprit: 99.4% - 100% </li>
<li>Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SDef Bold Uxie: 39% - 46% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SDef Bold Uxie: 49.2% - 57.9% </li>
</ul>
<p>As seen inthe calculations, there are several cases where Hydro Pump's increased Base Powerchanges 2HKOes into OHKOes. If you're not worried about such Pokemon or have Stealth Rock on your team, then you should use Surf.</p>
<p>When using Focus Punch, you should change the nature to Mild and move the HP EVs to Attack. Grass Knot is also an option over Energy Ball for increased damage on Milotic, but Energy Ball is sufficient enough to 2HKO Milotic EVed in Defense. Energy Ball also deals more damage to Lanturn and Azumarill, with a high chance of OHKOing the latter with Stealth Rock damage.</p>
<p>The EV spread provides Ludicolo with maximum power and enough Speed to outrun most of the UU metagame. 224 Speed EVs put Ludicolo at 464 Speed in the rain, allowing him to outrun Timid Choice Scarf Rotom by two points. The remaining Speed EVs are placed into HP for additional bulk. You can also move the HP EVs into Speed if you want to at worst Speed tie withother Ludicolo.</p>
<p>It should also be noted that Ludicolo can perform on a standard team despite the lack of Rain Dance abusers present on his side. This may seem odd, but using Rain Dance is essentially using Agility, but with the added bonus of increasing the power of Surf.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can survive an attack from Ludicolo and paralyze him, such as Registeel, Clefable, and Lanturn, are a general annoyance. Although Registeel and Lanturn may die the next turn after they use Thunder Wave, Ludicolo will be helpless when the next Pokemon appears. Also, Clefable can stall the rain turns out by using Softboiled repeatedly, waiting for Ludicolo to be fully paralyzed. Rain Dance Lanturn can help against Registeel, absorbing the Thunder Wave and striking back with boosted Surfs or Hydro Pumps. Lum Berry Toxicroak can switch in on Clefable and threaten with Cross Chop. Against Lanturn, Quagsire could be used to absorb Electric-type moves and attack with Earthquake. Dugtrio can be used to trap and eliminate Lanturn, Registeel, and Clefable. Using a Registeel yourself would also be usefu since it can Explode on Clefable or Lanturn.</p>
<p>Chansey is a big problem for this Ludicolo since she is only 5HKOed (with Leftovers factored in) by Hydro Pump, while she can cripple Ludicolo with either Thunder Wave or Toxic. Again, Lum Berry Toxicroak can be helpful against Chansey by absorbing a Thunder Wave or Toxic and striking back with Cross Chop. Dugtrio can also switch in on a Thunder Wave and strike Chansey down with two Earthquakes.</p>
[SET]
name: UU Swords Dancer
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Ice Punch / Zen Headbutt
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Ludicolo is generally seen as a special sweeper, this set can surprise opponents who switch in their special walls on Ludicolo. With a Swords Dance set up, Ludicolo reaches 524 Attack, which is deadly factoring in rain, which improves Waterfall's damage and Ludicolo's Speed, Life Orb, and great coverage.</p>
<p>Swords Dance is the purpose of this set, allowing Ludicolo to boost his pitiful Attack stat to greater levels. Waterfall gives Ludicolo a strong STAB attack in the rain while also having a 20% chance to flinch lethal targets. Seed Bomb uses Ludicolo's secondary STAB to strike down Water-type Pokemon. Ice Punch rounds the set off by hitting Grass-type Pokemon and Altaria.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Adamant and max Attack is needed to give Ludicolo's base 70 Attack as much power as possible. The Speed EVs, like those on the special set, are geared to outrunning Timid Choice Scarf Rotom. Lastly, the remainingEVs are dumped into HP for additional bulk.</p>
<p>In the last slot, Ice Punch is generally the preferred option for striking down Grass-types and Altaria, but Zen Headbutt can be used for eliminating Toxicroak while still hitting Venusaur.</p>
<p>Ludicolo appreciates other Rain Dance sweepers who can wear down the opposing team so Ludicolo can finish off the rest. Kabutops and Qwilfish can pair up with Ludicolo as additional Swords Dance sweepers to further break down the opponent's team. Omastar and Gorebyss can aid Ludicolo by attacking on the special side.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can set up Rain Dance are beneficial to Ludicolo's ability to sweep. Uxie, Rotom, and Lanturn can all back up Ludicolo well, with Rotom and Lanturn covering Ludicolo's Flying weakness. Rotom also covers Ludicolo's Bug weakness as a bonus.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Stealth Rock is necessary to obtain multiple OHKOs that Ludicolo could not obtain withoutHydro Pump. Regardless, the chip damage is useful overallin aiding Ludicolo and his team to deal as much damage as possible. Stealth Rock also punishes Pokemon attempting to repeatedly switch out to stall the rain turns.</p>
<p>Ludicolo appreciates Rain Dance being set up early in the game. Electrode, Ambipom, and Uxie are able to do this impressively, with the former two having Taunt and the latter having impressive bulk. Electrode and Uxie both have the option of sacrificing themselves to let Ludicolo come in freely.</p>
<p>For backup, Ludicolo usually wants a handful of other Swift Swim Pokemon to aid in the sweeping. Since Ludicolo is usually able to destroy the enemy's Water-type Pokemon who annoy the other Swift Swimmers, the other Rain Dance sweepers should be able to freely run down the remaining Pokemon. Kabutops, Qwilfish, Omastar, and Gorebyss are great sweepers to consider alongside Ludicolo, with the first two being able to use Swords Dance and the last two being powerful special attackers.</p>
<p>Lastly, a defensive Rain Dance user should be considered in case Ludicolo needs to fall back, either because the rain has subsided or because Ludicolo cannot break through the enemy. Pokemon such as Registeel, Lanturn, and Rotom are great users of Rain Dance with their bulk and typing. Registeel is able to withstand a multitude of attacks, negate its Fire weakness with Rain Dance, and give a free switch-in for Ludicolo with Explosion. It can also set up the helpful Stealth Rock. Lanturn and Rotom are able to fire off 100% accurate Thunders in the rain, with Lanturn having an added bonus of having his Water-type STAB attacks boosted. All three also cover Ludicolo's Flying-type weakness, with Registeel coveringLudicolo's Bug- and Poison-type weakness as a bonus.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>There aren't many other moves to use other than the ones already mentioned. Synthesis has potential outside of Rain Dance for restoring Life Orb recoil or just healing HP in general. Fake Out could potentially be useful on a Ludicolo who switches out frequently for chip damage, but it won't deal much damage. Icy Wind has its use for lowering the foe's Speed, but Ludicolo will likely already have his Speed boosted via rain. Return on the Swords Dance sweeper could work for overall neutral coverage, but the lack of super effective moves will hinder Ludicolo against specific foes.</p>
<p>A Substitute + Leech Seed combination looks fine at first sight, but it is actually mediocre. Ludicolo will become walled by Grass-types (excluding standard Leafeon or Tangrowth) because his Ice Beam will be weakened as a result of pumping EVs into HP and Special Defense and running a defensive nature. It also doesn't help that Ludicolo takes neutral damage from Grass-type moves.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Chansey can switch into a Life Orb rain-boosted Surf without taking too much damage from Ludicolo and Thunder Wave or Toxic him. Then, Chansey can stall out the rain with repeated Softboileds or wear Ludicolo down with Seismic Toss. Clefable can do the same, but she must be wary of switching into Surf or Hydro Pump as it will 2HKO her. Both of these Pokemon must beware of the Swords Dance set, however. Toxicroak is a viable counter to any set without a Psychic-type attack due to his Dry Skin ability and resistance to Grass-type attacks.</p>
<p>Against the Swords Dance set, physically defensive Tangrowth and Leafeon can survive an Ice Punch and threaten back with Sleep Powder or Leaf Blade. Any Hitmontop can threaten physical Ludicolo with either impressive physical bulk and Intimidate or Technician plus Fake Out and Mach Punch. Uxie can usually survive an assault and paralyze Ludicolo with Thunder Wave, but it will end up crippled.</p>
<p>Switching to Pokemon on a predicted attack to outstall the rain is usually the best idea. For example, you can switch in Milotic on a Surf or Ice Beam and then switch to Registeel to take the incoming Energy Ball, and repeat. Doing this also lets Ludicolo take in more Life Orb recoil so you can finally pick it off with a priority move such as Arcanine's ExtremeSpeed, Hitmontop's Mach Punch, or Scyther's Quick Attack. Pokemon already under a Substitute or with Protect are also great at stalling out Ludicolo's rain.</p>
<p>If all else fails, the best strategy is to let your least important Pokemon faint and then switch in the Pokemon who takes the least amount of damage from all of Ludicolo's attacks.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/ludicolo
[Overview]
<p>Ludicolo is one of the most essential Rain Dance sweepers because of his Grass typing, which allows him to strike down the annoying Water-type Pokemon who cause havoc for Rain Dance teams. In the rain, he outruns the majority of UU Pokemon and has enough power to slay them with Energy Ball, Surf, and Ice Beam. Ludicolo also has impressive special bulk, enabling him to stay in and set up against a wide range of foes. Lastly, Ludicolo has access to Swords Dance and an adequate physical movepool, which allows him to foil foes who think he's running a special moveset.</p>
<p>However, Ludicolo has a couple of problems. His base 90 Special Attack is not especially impressive, even when using Surf inthe rain. Ludicolo can also be picked off easily by a number a priority moves, such as ExtremeSpeed, Fake Out, Quick Attack, and Mach Punch. Even then, Ludicolo stands out as a useful Rain Dance abuser who helps keep the offensive momentum going.</p>
[SET]
name: UU Offensive Rain (Special)
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance / Hidden Power Psychic / Focus Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to sweep through teams once Rain Dance is present. As Ludicolo is usually paired with other Rain Dance sweepers, his main role is to remove Water-type Pokemon who may annoy them.</p>
<p>In the rain, Surf will be the main source of damage. If Ludicolo needs more power, then Hydro Pump is a great alternative. Energy Ball allows Ludicolo to strike down Water-type Pokemon who resist Ludicolo's Water attacks. Ice Beam hits Grass-type Pokemon and Altaria for super effective damage. Surf, Energy Ball, and Ice Beam grant Ludicolo great coverage, leaving the fourth slot open for a support move. Rain Dance lets Ludicolo set up rain to maintain offensive momentum. Hidden Power Psychic OHKOes Toxicroak, while Focus Punch can be used to hit Clefable and Chansey while they recover.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>To figure out if you need to use Surf or Hydro Pump on Ludicolo, here are some damage calculations:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>Surf vs. 236 HP / 156 SDef Careful Registeel: 40.7% - 48.1% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 236 HP / 156 SDef Careful Registeel: 51.1% - 60.2% </li>
<li>Surf vs. 80 HP / 0 SDef Impish Hariyama: 86.9% - 100% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 80 HP / 0 SDef Impish Hariyama: 100% </li>
<li>Surf vs. 52 HP / 0 SDef Jolly Mesprit: 78.7% - 93% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 52 HP / 0 SDef Jolly Mesprit: 99.4% - 100% </li>
<li>Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SDef Bold Uxie: 39% - 46% </li>
<li>Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SDef Bold Uxie: 49.2% - 57.9% </li>
</ul>
<p>As seen inthe calculations, there are several cases where Hydro Pump's increased Base Powerchanges 2HKOes into OHKOes. If you're not worried about such Pokemon or have Stealth Rock on your team, then you should use Surf.</p>
<p>When using Focus Punch, you should change the nature to Mild and move the HP EVs to Attack. Grass Knot is also an option over Energy Ball for increased damage on Milotic, but Energy Ball is sufficient enough to 2HKO Milotic EVed in Defense. Energy Ball also deals more damage to Lanturn and Azumarill, with a high chance of OHKOing the latter with Stealth Rock damage.</p>
<p>The EV spread provides Ludicolo with maximum power and enough Speed to outrun most of the UU metagame. 224 Speed EVs put Ludicolo at 464 Speed in the rain, allowing him to outrun Timid Choice Scarf Rotom by two points. The remaining Speed EVs are placed into HP for additional bulk. You can also move the HP EVs into Speed if you want to at worst Speed tie withother Ludicolo.</p>
<p>It should also be noted that Ludicolo can perform on a standard team despite the lack of Rain Dance abusers present on his side. This may seem odd, but using Rain Dance is essentially using Agility, but with the added bonus of increasing the power of Surf.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can survive an attack from Ludicolo and paralyze him, such as Registeel, Clefable, and Lanturn, are a general annoyance. Although Registeel and Lanturn may die the next turn after they use Thunder Wave, Ludicolo will be helpless when the next Pokemon appears. Also, Clefable can stall the rain turns out by using Softboiled repeatedly, waiting for Ludicolo to be fully paralyzed. Rain Dance Lanturn can help against Registeel, absorbing the Thunder Wave and striking back with boosted Surfs or Hydro Pumps. Lum Berry Toxicroak can switch in on Clefable and threaten with Cross Chop. Against Lanturn, Quagsire could be used to absorb Electric-type moves and attack with Earthquake. Dugtrio can be used to trap and eliminate Lanturn, Registeel, and Clefable. Using a Registeel yourself would also be usefu since it can Explode on Clefable or Lanturn.</p>
<p>Chansey is a big problem for this Ludicolo since she is only 5HKOed (with Leftovers factored in) by Hydro Pump, while she can cripple Ludicolo with either Thunder Wave or Toxic. Again, Lum Berry Toxicroak can be helpful against Chansey by absorbing a Thunder Wave or Toxic and striking back with Cross Chop. Dugtrio can also switch in on a Thunder Wave and strike Chansey down with two Earthquakes.</p>
[SET]
name: UU Swords Dancer
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Ice Punch / Zen Headbutt
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Ludicolo is generally seen as a special sweeper, this set can surprise opponents who switch in their special walls on Ludicolo. With a Swords Dance set up, Ludicolo reaches 524 Attack, which is deadly factoring in rain, which improves Waterfall's damage and Ludicolo's Speed, Life Orb, and great coverage.</p>
<p>Swords Dance is the purpose of this set, allowing Ludicolo to boost his pitiful Attack stat to greater levels. Waterfall gives Ludicolo a strong STAB attack in the rain while also having a 20% chance to flinch lethal targets. Seed Bomb uses Ludicolo's secondary STAB to strike down Water-type Pokemon. Ice Punch rounds the set off by hitting Grass-type Pokemon and Altaria.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Adamant and max Attack is needed to give Ludicolo's base 70 Attack as much power as possible. The Speed EVs, like those on the special set, are geared to outrunning Timid Choice Scarf Rotom. Lastly, the remainingEVs are dumped into HP for additional bulk.</p>
<p>In the last slot, Ice Punch is generally the preferred option for striking down Grass-types and Altaria, but Zen Headbutt can be used for eliminating Toxicroak while still hitting Venusaur.</p>
<p>Ludicolo appreciates other Rain Dance sweepers who can wear down the opposing team so Ludicolo can finish off the rest. Kabutops and Qwilfish can pair up with Ludicolo as additional Swords Dance sweepers to further break down the opponent's team. Omastar and Gorebyss can aid Ludicolo by attacking on the special side.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can set up Rain Dance are beneficial to Ludicolo's ability to sweep. Uxie, Rotom, and Lanturn can all back up Ludicolo well, with Rotom and Lanturn covering Ludicolo's Flying weakness. Rotom also covers Ludicolo's Bug weakness as a bonus.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Stealth Rock is necessary to obtain multiple OHKOs that Ludicolo could not obtain withoutHydro Pump. Regardless, the chip damage is useful overallin aiding Ludicolo and his team to deal as much damage as possible. Stealth Rock also punishes Pokemon attempting to repeatedly switch out to stall the rain turns.</p>
<p>Ludicolo appreciates Rain Dance being set up early in the game. Electrode, Ambipom, and Uxie are able to do this impressively, with the former two having Taunt and the latter having impressive bulk. Electrode and Uxie both have the option of sacrificing themselves to let Ludicolo come in freely.</p>
<p>For backup, Ludicolo usually wants a handful of other Swift Swim Pokemon to aid in the sweeping. Since Ludicolo is usually able to destroy the enemy's Water-type Pokemon who annoy the other Swift Swimmers, the other Rain Dance sweepers should be able to freely run down the remaining Pokemon. Kabutops, Qwilfish, Omastar, and Gorebyss are great sweepers to consider alongside Ludicolo, with the first two being able to use Swords Dance and the last two being powerful special attackers.</p>
<p>Lastly, a defensive Rain Dance user should be considered in case Ludicolo needs to fall back, either because the rain has subsided or because Ludicolo cannot break through the enemy. Pokemon such as Registeel, Lanturn, and Rotom are great users of Rain Dance with their bulk and typing. Registeel is able to withstand a multitude of attacks, negate its Fire weakness with Rain Dance, and give a free switch-in for Ludicolo with Explosion. It can also set up the helpful Stealth Rock. Lanturn and Rotom are able to fire off 100% accurate Thunders in the rain, with Lanturn having an added bonus of having his Water-type STAB attacks boosted. All three also cover Ludicolo's Flying-type weakness, with Registeel coveringLudicolo's Bug- and Poison-type weakness as a bonus.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>There aren't many other moves to use other than the ones already mentioned. Synthesis has potential outside of Rain Dance for restoring Life Orb recoil or just healing HP in general. Fake Out could potentially be useful on a Ludicolo who switches out frequently for chip damage, but it won't deal much damage. Icy Wind has its use for lowering the foe's Speed, but Ludicolo will likely already have his Speed boosted via rain. Return on the Swords Dance sweeper could work for overall neutral coverage, but the lack of super effective moves will hinder Ludicolo against specific foes.</p>
<p>A Substitute + Leech Seed combination looks fine at first sight, but it is actually mediocre. Ludicolo will become walled by Grass-types (excluding standard Leafeon or Tangrowth) because his Ice Beam will be weakened as a result of pumping EVs into HP and Special Defense and running a defensive nature. It also doesn't help that Ludicolo takes neutral damage from Grass-type moves.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Chansey can switch into a Life Orb rain-boosted Surf without taking too much damage from Ludicolo and Thunder Wave or Toxic him. Then, Chansey can stall out the rain with repeated Softboileds or wear Ludicolo down with Seismic Toss. Clefable can do the same, but she must be wary of switching into Surf or Hydro Pump as it will 2HKO her. Both of these Pokemon must beware of the Swords Dance set, however. Toxicroak is a viable counter to any set without a Psychic-type attack due to his Dry Skin ability and resistance to Grass-type attacks.</p>
<p>Against the Swords Dance set, physically defensive Tangrowth and Leafeon can survive an Ice Punch and threaten back with Sleep Powder or Leaf Blade. Any Hitmontop can threaten physical Ludicolo with either impressive physical bulk and Intimidate or Technician plus Fake Out and Mach Punch. Uxie can usually survive an assault and paralyze Ludicolo with Thunder Wave, but it will end up crippled.</p>
<p>Switching to Pokemon on a predicted attack to outstall the rain is usually the best idea. For example, you can switch in Milotic on a Surf or Ice Beam and then switch to Registeel to take the incoming Energy Ball, and repeat. Doing this also lets Ludicolo take in more Life Orb recoil so you can finally pick it off with a priority move such as Arcanine's ExtremeSpeed, Hitmontop's Mach Punch, or Scyther's Quick Attack. Pokemon already under a Substitute or with Protect are also great at stalling out Ludicolo's rain.</p>
<p>If all else fails, the best strategy is to let your least important Pokemon faint and then switch in the Pokemon who takes the least amount of damage from all of Ludicolo's attacks.</p>