That DAMN Fourth Rain Set I Promised:
Beartic
HP: 95 /
Atk: 105 / Def: 80 / Sp. Atk: 70 / Sp. Def: 80 / Speed: 50
Beartic @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Night Slash
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower
Classification: Rain Support, Swift Swim Sweeper
Description: With Snow Cloak now banned in the lower tiers, B2W2 allows Beartic to exclusively use his inherently superior Dream World ability, Swift Swim. Unlike a majority of other Swift Swimmers, he is not type-redundant with other Water-type Pokemon one might want to use alongside Beartic in Rain-themed teams. Beartic's 95/80/80 bulk is decent, compared to Kabutops' 60/105/70 defenses. Despite the base 50 Speed, he has priority in Aqua Jet which hits hard. As Beartic is primarily slower than a majority of other Swift Swimmers, he should often be used alongside these Swift Swimmers as a pseudo-wallbreaker; ideally, he is a good partner for Ludicolo and Seismitoad among others.
Icicle Crash is the preferred STAB, as the chance of flinch is strongly desired along with the power of the move. Furthermore, Icicle Crash hits Grass-types super-effectively, and there are going to be plenty of Grass-types trying to impede the progress of other SwiftSwimmers. Superpower allows Beartic to hit Steels who otherwise would wall him hard, as well as Clefable. Beartic also uses Night Slash as it is a powerful move with a high critical hit chance, and the move allows it to get past Slowking. Beartic's physical coverage is supremely good overall. However, the main strategy is to come in after Rain is already set up by someone else. Then you start sweeping with Beartic. As Beartic is primarily slower than a majority of other Swift Swimmers, he should often be used alongside these Swift Swimmers as a pseudo-wallbreaker; ideally, he is a good partner for Ludicolo and Seismitoad among others.
Shortcomings: Despite the really good coverage, Beartic will have trouble trying to get past Poliwrath and Qwilfish, among other Bulky Waters who simply can switch into a move that doesn't hit effectively. Usually, such Pokemon tend to be weaker on the Special side, so a Special Attacker such as Rotom-C, Moltres, or Gardevoir will be able to dispose of these threats.
Most other Swift Swimmers, such as Kabutops and Ludicolo, can outspeed either in the Rain or otherwise and demolish Beartic with powerful attacks. However, Beartic can massacre Kabutops on the switch with Superpower if it predicts a switch-in to him to be obvious. As Beartic will also ideally be used alongside faster Swift Swimmers, guys like Omastar, Ludicolo, Seismitoad, and Flotzel, these partners will be able to compliment him in his sweeps.
Stealth Rock takes a chunk of Beartic's HP every time it switches in, so removing it would be advised to make the Ice-type's life a little easier. Thankfully, Kabutops, Cryogonal, Hitmonlee, and Armaldo all synergize with Beartic and can Rapid Spin. Armaldo and Kabutops also benefit from the same Swift Swim that Beartic is dependent upon.
And then there's the last off-putting thing about Beartic, which is its neutrality to Water-type attacks that are boosted in the Rain. A Pokemon with Dry Skin, such as Jynx or Parasect, or a Water Absorb Pokemon, such as Poliwrath, Lapras, or Cacturne also helps cover these Water-type attacks easily.
Other Options: If Night Slash is not desired, one can use Stone Edge to hit Flying-types a lot harder, such as Moltres, Scyther, and Sigilyph. If one dislikes the Life Orb recoil, one can alternately use a Choice Band to hit harder. However, being locked into a move might not always be favorable.