Ludicolo @ Leftovers / Life Orb / Red Card
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Swords Dance / Seed Bomb / Ice Punch
- Waterfall
This set really appreciates (Damp Rock) rain support from another teammate, but can still function fine without it in a decent situation. In the rain, and sometimes without the rain, Ludicolo often forces switches and can Substitute. Fighting coverage works excellently with Ludicolo's STABs. Due the Substitute, Swords Dance, and no Rain Dish, I think Leftovers is the preferred option, as Life Orb recoil with Substitute racks up and the power boost isn't as necessary after a Swords Dance. However, if more coverage is used instead of Swords Dance, Life Orb may be viable. Weather is relatively uncommon in NU, so it's not that difficult to get the weather up and be able to safely switch in Ludicolo with many rain turns left.
You probably think Red Card is a really weird option for an item. However, even with rain, Ludicolo is somewhat hard-pressed to get both a Substitute and a Swords Dance up because once Ludicolo comes in, the opponent can switch out to a threat, giving Ludicolo only one free turn. However, if that threat is sent out by the Red Card, it's unlikely that another threat will be randomly sent in, possibly giving Ludicolo a second free turn. In an ideal situation, which doesn't seem too unreasonable, Ludicolo comes in during the rain, threatening the opponent out. Ludicolo Substitutes on the switch as a threat to Ludicolo is sent in. Then, you Swords Dance as they break your Substitute and are sent out by the Red Card. This switch is unfavorable for them, so as they switch out, you Substitute again, which leaves you at +2 Attack, +2 Speed, and behind a Substitute going into the next turn.