RU Sunny Day Revisited GP [2/2]

Yonko7

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RU Sunny Day Guide
*Credit to BTzz and Endorfins for writing this* | *Credit to Birkal for the art*
The current RU Sunny Day Guide is a bit outdated. So our job is to update it to fit the current metagame.

The areas that need to be added / replaced / deleted will be posted below. This project shouldn't take too long, but who knows. ^.^
All my edits are here
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Guide to RU Sunny Day Teams
By BTzz and Endorfins
Code:
GP Checks: [melvni] [Oglemi]
  1. Overview
  2. Effects of Sun
  3. Sunny Day Users
  4. Sun Sweepers
  5. Grass-type Sweepers
  6. Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table
  7. Speeds to Beat
  8. Fire Power (Fire-type Sweepers)
  9. Sunny Day Supporters
  10. Threats to Sunny Day Teams
  11. Building a Sunny Day Team
  12. Sample Team
  13. Conclusion

Overview

Sunny Day teams are usually seen as the inferior cousins to Rain Dance teams; however, this isn't true, as there are plenty of sun sweepers that can easily change your mind. Sunny Day is an extremely potent playstyle that can quickly turn the world upside down, if given the chance, with its blisteringly fast Chlorophyll sweepers or volcanic Fire-types. Unlike OU, in RU there is only one automatic weather inducer, and it cannot switch into many of a sun team's attacks. This guide will introduce you to some of the best options for a Sunny Day team, explain how you can build the best Sunny Day team possible, and provide some general tips on playing with these teams.

Effects of Sun

The following effects occur while Sunny Day is active:
  • The Base Power of Fire-type moves is increased by 50%.
  • Pokemon with the ability Chlorophyll have their Speed doubled.
  • The Base Power of Water-type moves is decreased by 50%.
  • SolarBeam's charge turn is removed.
  • Growth increases Attack and Special Attack by two stages instead of one.
  • Pokemon cannot be frozen.
  • Thunder and Hurricane's accuracies are reduced to 50%.
  • Weather Ball effectively becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type move.
  • Synthesis, Moonlight, and Morning Sun recover 66% of the user's HP.
  • Pokemon with the Solar Power ability have their Special Attack increased by 50%, but lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
  • Pokemon with the Leaf Guard ability become immune to status (note: the user is prevented from using the move Rest).
  • Pokemon with the Dry Skin ability lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
  • Cherrim and Castform change formes.

The Sun Inducers

Pokemon that can set up sun are arguably the most important components of any Sunny Day team. A good sun inducer must be able to reliably set up sun any time during a battle; sun inducers should also be able to provide their team with other support, such as entry hazards, dual screens, or Rapid Spin.

Heat Rock

Uxie

Uxie is regarded as one of the go-to support Pokemon in RU thanks to its immense bulk and plethora of utility options. It has the bulk to set up sun throughout a battle while aiding a sweep with dual screens, Magic Coat, Heal Bell, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Yawn, or even U-turn. Uxie also has access to Memento, which ensures that a sweeper can set up safely at the cost of Uxie's life. However, Uxie lacks offensive presence, so it cannot do any significant damage.

Regirock

Regirock can reliably set up Sunny Day thanks to its awesome physical bulk, which is statistically the best in the game bar Eviolite users. Regirock's best attribute is its ability to check major threats to sun teams such as Entei and Choice Scarf Typhlosion. Regirock also has some nice support options in Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave. While known for its bulk, Regirock is no slouch offensively. STAB Stone Edge ruins Moltres and Entei, and Regirock can even capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Punch. Finally, Regirock can use Explosion to bring in a sweeper safely.

Mesprit

At first glance, Mesprit might look like a lesser Uxie, but it has an interesting niche with Healing Wish. Healing Wish completely restores a teammate to its peak performance, but can only be used at the cost of Mesprit's life; nevertheless, it is extremely valuable to sun sweepers, which can get rapidly worn down by Stealth Rock and Life Orb recoil. Mesprit also has access to U-turn and Stealth Rock, but using them goes against one of Mesprit's biggest advantages over Uxie: its higher offensive stats. This lets Mesprit take on an offensive role with useful attacks such as Hidden Power Fire, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt. Mesprit can keep your team's offensive momentum, as it is much more difficult to set up on than other inducers. Mesprit's mediocre Speed is actually a good thing with U-turn, because it means that Mesprit will likely take the attack, rather than your sweeper.

Whimsicott

Whimsicott is one of the few sun inducers in RU with access to Prankster, giving it priority on moves such as Sunny Day and Taunt. With Prankster, it doesn't have to worry about Speed, meaning it can fully invest in its mediocre defenses. Like Uxie, Whimsicott can utilize Memento to assist an incoming sweeper that plans to set up. In the same vein, priority Encore can be very useful for locking the opponent into an unfavorable move, allowing a sweeper to switch in and set up safely. Whimsicott usually has room for an attack, which could be allocated to STAB SolarBeam. One drawback with Whimsicott is that it will compound weaknesses due to its Grass typing, which is shared with the Chlorophyll sweepers.

Volbeat & Illumise

When it comes to reliably setting sun up, it's hard to look past Volbeat and Illumise. Much like Whimsicott, they have access to the rare Prankster ability, giving them priority on non-attacking moves, most notably Sunny Day. This means that aside from a rare priority Taunt, they are guaranteed to set up sun at least once per match. However, the two face competition as Prankster Sunny Day users from Whimsicott, which has superior Speed and moves such as Leech Seed and Memento. However, Volbeat has its own unique aspect in the form of Tail Glow and Baton Pass, which, if pulled off successfully with the sun still shining, can set up a sweeper such as Lilligant for the rest of the game. Volbeat and Illumise also have a slow U-turn that can get a sweeper in safely. Aside from the moves already listed, Volbeat and Illumise have access to Thunder Wave and Encore, which can cripple opposing setup sweepers and Choice Scarf users, aiding a Chlorophyll user's sweep. Unfortunately, Volbeat and Illumise are quite frail and fall to powerful STAB and / or super effective attacks even with maximum investment.

Hariyama

Hariyama has bulk on par with the other sun inducers, but it is able to differentiate itself with its ability and typing. One of Hariyama's abilities, Thick Fat, gives it resistances to Fire- and Ice-type attacks. This, along with Hariyama's resistance to Rock-type attacks, means Hariyama has great type synergy with sun teams, as it can sponge Ice- and Fire-type attacks aimed at Grass-type Chlorophyll sweepers, as well as Rock-type attacks aimed at Fire-type sweepers. Thanks to its base 120 Attack, Hariyama arguably provides the most offensive presence out of all the inducers, being one of few that can deal with the menace to sun teams that is Munchlax. It can spread paralysis with Force Palm and deal with troublesome Dragon-types with Ice Punch.

Altaria

One of the greatest obstacles for RU Sunny Day teams can also do an admirable job supporting them. Altaria boasts good defensive stats, typing, and support options including Perish Song, Haze, and Heal Bell. Its access to Natural Cure, coupled with reliable recovery in Roost, makes it one of the most durable sun inducers available in RU. Altaria can capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Blast to of dispose Steel-types that will likely switch into it expecting Dragon-type attacks.

Sun Sweepers

Perhaps the scariest thing about Sunny Day teams is the diversity of their attacks. Sun sweepers include both Grass-types and Fire-types, while rain teams are one-dimensional with Water-types. Grass- and Fire-types share excellent synergy; Fire-types often have trouble getting past Water- and Rock-types, which can be setup bait for your Grass-type sweepers. Moreover, your Grass-types can lure in opposing Grass- and Steel-types for your Fire-type sweepers to switch in safely and fire off a powerful attack. In this section, we take a look at some sun sweepers to consider in RU.

Grass-type Sweepers

Most Grass-types become whole new monsters under the sunlight. In addition to the versatile movepools most Chlorophyll sweepers boast, they gain doubled Speed stats and an upgraded Growth that now raises the Attack and Special Attack by two stages as opposed to one, which is equivalent to a Shell Smash but without the defensive drops. Most Grass-type sweepers also have Sleep Powder in their arsenal, making them even more difficult to stop. Although Chlorophyll is arguably the best ability to use in sun, there are other abilities such as Leaf Guard that can allow your sweeper to set up without fear of being afflicted by status.

Lilligant

Lilligant is commonly seen in the RU metagame; Quiver Dance boosts its best stats, allowing it to easily sweep through whole teams after two or more boosts. In the sun, Lilligant becomes an even greater threat than before. Thanks to the sun already boosting Lilligant's Speed, more EVs can be allocated to Lilligant's often underestimated bulk, which can turn it into a powerful, bulky setup sweeper. Sun also boosts the power of Hidden Power Fire, Lilligant's main coverage move alongside its Grass-type STAB. Sleep Powder is a common move on most sun teams thanks to their many Chlorophyll sweepers that Lilligant can also make good use of; on the other hand, Lilligant can opt for the less-used Aromatherapy to cure itself and its teammates of status effects such as paralysis and set up on most walls without fear. Lilligant can also support its teammates with Healing Wish, which can give a sweeper a second breath.

Tangrowth

While Tangrowth is one of the slowest Chlorophyll sweepers, it boasts the highest combined offensive stats of all of them, along with an impressive base 125 Defense stat. This, backed by Tangrowth's incredibly expansive offensive movepool that includes the moves Leaf Storm, Focus Blast, Power Whip, Earthquake, and Sleep Powder, makes Tangrowth quite the formidable sweeper. Tangrowth's excellent mixed attacking stats can also be bolstered by Growth. However, even with the Speed boost, Tangrowth's low base 50 Speed leaves it outsped by Choice Scarf users, like Rotom-F and Typhlosion, which can prey on Tangrowth's mediocre Special Defense.

Sawsbuck

Sawsbuck ranks amongst the fastest Chlorophyll sweepers, hitting a staggering 634 Speed with a Chlorophyll boost. Sawsbuck can rip through teams after a Swords Dance using its signature attack Horn Leech, which helps reduce the recoil from STAB Double-Edge, and Nature Power, which acts as Earthquake in simulator and Wi-Fi battles. Sawsbuck can also use Megahorn to hit the fairly common Dark- and Psychic-types that reside in RU or Jump Kick to hit Ferroseed. Sawsbuck can even avoid Sucker Punch with Nature Power ensuring it won't get taken down that way. Sawsbuck's biggest drawback is without a doubt its frailty, which sometimes makes it difficult to set up.

Shiftry

Shiftry is an absolute juggernaut under the sun, thanks to a plethora of stat boosting options that includes Growth, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Perhaps Shiftry's biggest selling point when considering it for your sun team is its STAB Sucker Punch, which, when boosted by Swords Dance or Growth, allows it to sweep outside of the sun or deal with Choice Scarf users and priority users that cause problems for sun teams. Shiftry can also use a viable special set with Nasty Plot and special attacks such as SolarBeam, Giga Drain, Dark Pulse, Focus Blast, or some variant of Hidden Power. Being able to run viable special and physical sets make Shiftry very dangerous when trying to counter it, as the opponent might switch to their physical wall expecting a Swords Dance variant, only to be met by a +2 Nasty Plot Shiftry. Despite Shiftry's average attacking stats, it can effectively run a mixed set thanks to powerful attacks such as Leaf Storm and Nature Power (Earthquake), along with priority in Sucker Punch, which enables Shiftry to take some EVs out of Speed and put them into its attacking stats. Shiftry does have its fair share of problems though; it is overwhelmingly frail and needs to set up to be able to sweep, allowing the opponent to take advantage of this by attacking Shiftry outright.

Exeggutor

Exeggutor beats even Lilligant for the highest Special Attack stat among Chlorophyll sweepers at base 125, but unfortunately, it has no way to boost it. Lacking Growth, Exeggutor faces stiff competition as a Chlorophyll sweeper in the RU tier. However, while Exeggutor lacks a boosting move, it doesn't need one to sweep thanks to its naturally high Special Attack. Exeggutor is the hardest initial hitter of all the Chlorophyll sweepers, meaning it doesn't need to waste a turn setting up. On the special side, Exeggutor has Leaf Storm, Giga Drain, SolarBeam, Psychic, Psyshock, and Hidden Power. Psyshock is a great option for hitting specially bulky Pokemon on their weaker Defense. While Attack isn't Exeggutor's best stat, it can utilize Swords Dance to attempt a sweep. However, Exeggutor's physical movepool is fairly sparse with the only viable options consisting of Seed Bomb, Nature Power (Earthquake), Return, and Wood Hammer. Exeggutor's major downfall is that its naturally low Speed and Special Defense leave it open to various specially based Choice Scarf users such as Typhlosion and Rotom-F. Exeggutor is also weak to Pursuit, meaning Drapion can easily deal with it after switching with impunity into a Psychic-type attack.

Victreebel

Although Victreebel might not be one of the most prominent RU Pokemon, it would be foolish to underestimate it. With the sun shining, Victreebel can pull off an almost unstoppable mixed Growth set that deals with a large portion of walls and outspeeds most opposing sweepers. One of the greatest assets that Victreebel has over its numerous Chlorophyll competitors is the semi-exclusive Weather Ball. As its name suggests, this move functions best in various weathers, and in the sun it becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type move factoring in the boost to Fire-type attacks. Swords Dance is also available, so Victreebel can only invest only in its Attack and hit harder. Victreebel also possesses priority in Sucker Punch, which can take down Choice Scarf holders hoping to outspeed Victreebel in the sun, as well as the ability to remove Toxic Spikes, which bother quite a few sun inducers, upon entry.

Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table

Chlorophyll Pokemon | Base Speed / Max Sun Speed (neutral nature) / Max Sun Speed (positive nature)

Whimsicott* | 116 / 662 / 728
Jumpluff | 110 / 638 / 700
Sawsbuck | 95 / 578 / 634
Leafeon* | 95 / 578 / 634
Leavanny | 92 / 566 / 622
Lilligant | 90 / 558 / 612
Shiftry | 80 / 518 / 568
Victreebel | 70 / 478 / 524
Maractus | 60 / 438 / 480
Exeggutor | 55 / 418 / 458
Tropius | 51 / 402 / 441
Vileplume | 50 / 398 / 436
Bellossom | 50 / 398 / 436
Tangrowth | 50 / 398 / 436
Sunflora | 30 / 318 / 348

* Gets Chlorophyll as a Dream World ability

Speeds to Beat

Speed / Pokemon / Base Speed / EVs / Nature / Speed IV / Speed Boosts

678 / Sceptile / 120 / 252 / + / 31 / 2
519 / Galvantula / 108 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
508 / Manectric / 105 / 252 / +/ 31/ 1
492 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / +/ 31/ 1
478 / Tauros / 110 / 252 / 0 / 31/ 1
475 / Electivire and Primeape / 95 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
463 / Manectric / 105 / 252 / neutral / 31/ 1
463 / Rotom / 91 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
459 / Moltres / 90 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
450 / Hitmonlee / 87 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
448 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1
447 / Rotom-C, Rotom-S / 86 / + / 31 / 1
436 / Aggron / 50 / 252 / + / 31 / 2
433 / Primeape / 95 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1
427 / Accelgor / 145 / 252 / +/ 31 / 0
426 / Altaria, Braviary, Gallade, Gardevoir, Medicham / 80 / 252 / + / 31 / 1

Fire Power

Moltres

As if Moltres's Fire Blast wasn't strong enough, the sun's boost leaves Munchlax and Slowking the only Pokemon that can safely switch into it. Slowking is 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted SolarBeam. Moltres also has exceptional bulk for a Fire-type, and with Roost or Morning Sun, Moltres's Stealth Rock weakness isn't too bad. U-turn lets Moltres scout for its counter while maintaining offensive pressure, but to get maximum mileage, Rapid Spin support is needed.

Typhlosion

Typhlosion separates itself from the pack of Fire-types with Eruption; at full health and in the sun, Eruption hits a ridiculous 337 Base Power after factoring in STAB, and Typhlosion can hit just as hard with Fire Blast when at low HP thanks to Blaze, ensuring that it can continue to be a threat throughout the match. With access to SolarBeam and Focus Blast, Typhlosion can dispose of most Pokemon that resist Fire. Typhlosion is also tied with Entei at base 100 Speed, making it an excellent Choice Specs user as opposed to some of the other Fire-types that need the Speed from Choice Scarf to be effective.

Charizard

With the introduction of Solar Power to Charizard's repertoire, it has become the poster child for the sheer power of sun teams. Its Fire-type attacks are boosted not only by STAB and the sun but also by Solar Power, which effectively gives Charizard a Choice Specs boost without using its item slot or locking it into one move. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Charizard can outrun a large portion of the RU tier and decimate any Pokemon that doesn't resist its insanely powerful Fire-type attacks. Even Pokemon that resist Fire, such as Qwilfish, are cleanly OHKOed by a Choice Scarf Fire Blast in the sun! Slowking, Lanturn, and Munchlax are demolished by SolarBeam and Focus Blast, with the former two being 2HKOed while Munchlax is cleanly 3HKOed provided Focus Blast doesn't miss. However, it is with Choice Specs that Charizard's full might is unleashed. With Choice Specs equipped, Fire Blast is normally enough to OHKO almost every Pokemon, while Slowking and Lanturn are cleanly 2HKOed, dismissing them as counters to Charizard.

Entei

Entei is already regarded as a vicious sweeper, but sun takes it to a whole new level. Physically, Entei is able to sweep by using Howl or Flame Charge, backed by its physical movepool which includes an insanely powerful Flare Blitz, priority in ExtremeSpeed, and coverage moves in Stone Edge, Bulldoze, and Iron Head. ExtremeSpeed in particular is a very useful move, allowing Entei to bypass opposing Choice Scarf users. Entei is also capable of sweeping with Calm Mind, as it has the ability to make 101 HP Substitutes, a great base 100 Speed, and the coverage it needs in Fire Blast, SolarBeam, Hidden Power, Extrasensory, and Shadow Ball. With essentially no Water-type weakness, Calm Mind Entei is even more difficult to stop in the sun.

Emboar

The new Fire-type on the block, Emboar is notable for its secondary Fighting typing which makes it neutral to Stealth Rock unlike most Fire-types. It can also use its Fighting-type STAB to break through one of sun's greatest obstacles—Munchlax. Emboar sports an excellent offensive movepool, including a very powerful STAB Flare Blitz, Superpower, Head Smash, and Wild Charge, which can be used to get past bulky Water-types. As Emboar suffers from a middling base 65 Speed, it can utilize Flame Charge or a Choice Scarf to compensate. Emboar makes a fine user of Choice Scarf as opposed to some of the other Fire-types due to taking neutral damage from Stealth Rock and dealing heavy damage even unboosted, but even with a Choice Scarf, Emboar is outsped by a large portion of common Choice Scarf users in the RU tier.

Magmortar

Magmortar is a very dangerous sun sweeper thanks to its incredibly diverse movepool, backed by an impressive base 125 Special Attack and a passable base 83 Speed. With options such as Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, and SolarBeam, Magmortar can hit almost any Pokemon super effectively. With a base 95 Attack, Magmortar arguably runs the best mixed sets of all the Fire-types, and thanks to Cross Chop, Magmortar can easily get past Munchlax.

Rapidash

While Rapidash might seem like your average Fire-type, it does have a few key attributes to make it worth considering over some of the other Fire-type powerhouses. Rapidash has access to the ability Flash Fire, which keeps the opponent from turning your sun against you and provides free switch-ins on predicted Fire-type moves (likely aimed at Grass-type teammates). Rapidash's most viable options are a physical or mixed set, thanks to a decent base 100 Attack and access to Flare Blitz, SolarBeam, and Wild Charge. Additionally, it has access to Sunny Day and 66% recovery with Morning Sun, which means it can function as a sun inducer, a sun sweeper, or both. Finally, it has a base 105 Speed, being faster than every other RU Fire-type, including Charizard and Moltres; this allows Rapidash to outspeed both and hit them with a super effective Wild Charge. Rapidash can also shut down counters to Chlorophyll sweepers using Hypnosis, though 60% accuracy isn't ideal.

Sunny Day Supporters

Rapid Spin Support

Sunny Day teams have powerful Fire-types, but their potential is drained by Stealth Rock and other entry hazards, so a Rapid Spin user is an ok great assist to make sure that your Fire-type sweepers enter the battle with as much health as possible. The disadvantage of Rapid Spin is the loss of momentum, which could sometimes offset the particular advantages of the move, which means it isn't necessarily a vital aspect of a successful Sunny Day team.

Kabutops

Kabutops certainly looks out of place on a Sunny Day team, but it functions well under the sun too. Kabutops's 4x resistance to Fire-type attacks means that it can switch into opposing Fire-types with relative ease and dispose of them with its Rock-type STAB. Kabutops can also Rapid Spin to keep your team as healthy as possible and can sweep with Swords Dance if needed. Weak Armor and Swift Swim abilities both have their use; Weak Armor allows Kabutops to do a mini-sweep thanks to the Speed boost, and Swift Swim is handy to deal with opposing rain teams.

Torkoal

Torkoal is a great choice on a sun team thanks to its STAB being powered up, although its typing does compound weaknesses. Thanks to Shell Smash, Torkoal is a supporter and a sweeper. After a boost, Torkoal will be able to muscle its way through any Ghost-type looking to spinblock. Once it has done its primary job, Torkoal can go on to punch holes in the opposing team thanks to its boosted attacks. Torkoal has a decent chance at setting up thanks to its high base Defense and moderate HP. However, Torkoal has a low Special Defense and is still relatively slow after a Shell Smash boost, and its pure Fire typing means it will take Stealth Rock damage before it can spin.

Sandslash

Sandslash might look odd on a Sunny Day team, but it does bring some unique assets to the table. Foremost, Sandslash can spin away Stealth Rock so your Fire-type sweepers can easily switch in. Also, if needed, Sandslash can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. With an impressive Defense stat, a handy resistance to Rock-type attacks, and other support moves like Stealth Rock, Sandslash can pull its weight. Access to Swords Dance means that Sandslash isn't a slouch offensively and aids in taking down spinblockers. Unfortunately, a poor Special Defense and low Speed, as well as common weaknesses, prevent Sandslash from being awesome.

Miscellaneous Support

Smeargle

Normally, a Pokemon with stats like Smeargle's would almost never be considered for a spot on a team, but with a virtually endless movepool, it's hard to ignore Smeargle's potential. In addition to setting up the sun, Smeargle brings a lot to the table with Spore, every type of entry hazard, dual screens, and Baton Pass in conjunction with boosting moves such as Shift Gear and Quiver Dance. Smeargle's defensive capabilities leave a lot to be desired, so it won't be able to always perform its job.

Drapion

Other than its Poison typing, Drapion doesn't look like much when compared to Chlorophyll sweepers, but it can greatly aid them. Drapion's main job is to take down opposing Ghost- and Psychic-types, so they don't hinder spinning or your team. Also, thanks to its typing, it can absorb the rare Toxic Spikes, and it can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. Drapion's bulk allows it to at least take one non-super effective attack and still support the team.

Natu

Natu is one of the few Pokemon with the Magic Bounce ability, which lets it reflect back almost any support attack thrown at it. Natu's main utility is to ensure that entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock, are not on the field, which then allows Fire-type sweepers to be near their full potential. Natu doesn't have much use other than that, as its bulk isn't too great even with Eviolite, but it can help with hazards, if a Rapid Spin user is too much.

Defensive Pivots

Sometimes your offensive momentum is taken from you by an unexpected twist, and you need to regain it. Defensive pivots have the bulk to take multiple attacks and stop your opponent in their tracks, and can have other utilities such as entry hazard support.

Munchlax

Munchlax is often viewed as a bad Pokemon, and while most of those judgments are true, Munchlax does bring a unique set of cards to the table. Thick Fat and the bulk boost from Eviolite allows Munchlax to take on some common threats to Sunny Day teams such as opposing Fire-types and hail teams. Additionally, Munchlax can stay healthy with RestTalk, although it will often not be able to pull this off multiple times. Body Slam can paralyze your opponent, giving you more of an advantage, and Whirlwind phazes out set-up sweepers. Ultimately, don't expect much from Munchlax apart from its ability to nearly always be able to switch in and re-set up the sun.

Rhydon

Rhydon is an oft-overlooked Pokemon with good and bad attributes. Eviolite boosts Rhydon's already impressive defenses to heights greater than Steelix's defenses; combined with a base 130 Attack, this means that Rhydon is not going to give your opponent much breathing room. If needed, Rhydon can set up Stealth Rock to wear your opponent down even more. Its common Water-type weakness is a bit patched up thanks to the sun, but it still cannot take too many strong special attacks.

Druddigon

Druddigon's pure Dragon typing gives it plenty of opportunities to switch in and cause havoc. Druddigon's support movepool largely consists of Stealth Rock, Glare, Substitute, Dragon Tail, and Sucker Punch. Offensively, Druddigon's impressive base 120 Attack combined with a largely unresisted STAB means Druddigon can hit many offensive Pokemon hard. Although, a lack of reliable recovery and low Speed means Druddigon cannot take too many boosted attacks.

Threats to Sun Teams

After seeing all the powerful sun sweepers, you might be wondering, ''What exactly is stopping Sunny Day teams from being broken in RU?'' Well, there are a fair amount of Pokemon that give Sunny Day teams problems. The next section will introduce Sunny Day teams' greatest obstacles so that you can build your team to work around these threats. This section will also show you some good options when looking to counter opposing Sunny Day teams.

Entei

With decent bulk and resistances to Grass- and Fire-type attacks, Entei can not only switch into Sunny Day teams with ease but also countersweep them. Entei outspeeds all the common Fire-types on sun teams and can deal a significant blow with Stone Edge, while ExtremeSpeed allows Entei to hit Chlorophyll sweepers, no matter their Speed. The common Choice Band set can easily take down frail offensive sweepers with its boosted ExtremeSpeed. In addition, Entei's Substitute + Calm Mind set can be a nightmare to deal with. After a couple of boosts, attacks such as Lilligant's Hidden Power Rock won't cut it. The player not only has to worry about breaking Substitutes, but also taking a huge hit in doing so. Unlike Moltres, Entei isn't worn down easily by Stealth Rock and isn't vulnerable to priority thanks to ExtremeSpeed. Your best bet is beating it down as it switches in, crippling it with status, or having a Pokemon that can take a Fire-type attack and an ExtremeSpeed.

Moltres

A Pokemon commonly used as a weapon on Sunny Day teams, Moltres poses a major offensive threat to any team, but it can particularly run right through Sunny Day teams with ease if they aren't prepared for it. Moltres has a 4x resistance to Grass-type attacks (although some Chlorophyll sweepers are known to carry Hidden Power Rock to deal with Moltres) while also resisting Fire-type attacks. However, it's not Moltres's resistances that sun teams should be most concerned with, but rather its Fire Blast; Moltres uses your own sun against you by firing off an insanely powerful Fire Blast, which sun teams have severe difficultly switching into due to their offensive nature and propensity to use Grass-types. Moltres can be dealt with through a combination of Sleep Powder, Stealth Rock, and priority from users such as Shiftry with Sucker Punch and Entei with ExtremeSpeed (be wary of Substitute though, which will make Sucker Punch fail). It should be noted that while Moltres's Fire Blast becomes a veritable nuke in the sun, its Hurricane becomes even more unreliable, which can be used to the sun team's advantage in certain situations.

Slowking

Slowking is a specially defensive behemoth that can take even Grass-type attacks and live to tell the tale. Regenerator + Slack Off lets it be a problem throughout a battle, and its STAB attacks will hit Fire-types hard and hit some Poison-type Chlorophyll sweepers as well. In addition, a Trick Room set can literally flip the match, as now your sweepers are "outsped" in sun.

Druddigon

Druddigon's pure Dragon typing gives it a multitude of resistances that allow it to easily switch into Chlorophyll and Fire-type sweepers alike. It also has support attacks that can cripple an offensive Pokemon and render it useless for the rest of the match. Glare's paralysis effectively neuters any offensive Pokemon, and Dragon Tail or Roar phazes out any stat boosts that might have been obtained. Sucker Punch means that it can check any Pokemon that doesn't have its own priority or Substitute.

Absol

Absol poses a huge threat to Sunny Day teams with an extremely powerful priority move in STAB Sucker Punch and a staggering base 130 Attack. The first step in dealing with Absol is limiting its opportunities to switch in, as Absol is quite frail. This includes refraining from using Psychic-types attacks and generally not relying on boosting moves. If Absol does manage to safely switch in, look to play around Sucker Punch as Absol has a mediocre base 75 Speed. Sucker Punch only works if Absol is being attacked, so you can capitalize on this by putting Absol to sleep with the many Chlorophyll sweepers that have access to Sleep Powder, snagging a few offensive boosts, or setting up a Substitute. There are a few sun sweepers that can handle Absol better than the rest, such as Choice Scarf Emboar, which resists Sucker Punch and can rip through Absol's paper-thin defenses with its Fighting-type STAB. Shiftry also resists Sucker Punch, but is too frail to take one if Absol is at +2.

Munchlax

While it might not look the part, Munchlax is a decent special wall in RU thanks to Eviolite and Thick Fat, which let it take on most special attackers in the sun. Thick Fat gives Munchlax a resistance to Fire- and Ice-type attacks, so many special attackers will struggle to get past it if they lack a super effective attack. Munchlax can cripple your attackers with Body Slam's paralysis rate or phaze them out with Whirlwind and possibly cause extra hazard damage. Because it uses RestTalk, Munchlax doesn't mind being put to sleep by Chlorophyll sweepers. However, Munchlax's Defense, although boosted by Eviolite, is still exploitable, and a low Speed and lack of reliable recovery means that strong physical attacks will often pound it down.

Flareon

Flareon resists Grass-type attacks, just like Entei, and is immune to Fire-type attacks thanks to Flash Fire. Unlike Entei, Flareon has access to reliable recovery in Wish to compensate for its Stealth Rock weakness and a base 110 Special Defense. With Protect, Flareon can receive its own Wishes safely and scout for troublesome attacks such as Nature Power (Earthquake) and Hidden Power Rock. Flareon can also hit Sunny Day teams deceptively hard with a STAB, sun-boosted, and possibly Flash Fire-boosted Lava Plume, which also has a chance of crippling physical attackers with burn status. Flareon is very difficult to beat one-on-one due to Protect, but it can be dealt with by keeping Stealth Rock up and hitting it with super effective attacks as it switches into a predicted Fire-type attack.

Lickilicky

While Lickilicky might not possess any useful resistances, it can still pose a defensive threat to Sunny Day teams with its 110 / 95 / 95 defenses. Lickilicky's lack of useful resistances is somewhat compensated for by its ability Cloud Nine, which eliminates any boost to Fire-type attacks caused by the sun. Like Flareon, Lickilicky can utilize Wish + Protect to heal up and scout for threatening attacks. Ironically, Cloud Nine is illegal with Wish, so it won't have recovery outside of Rest. Lickilicky can also utilize Dragon Tail to stop setup sweepers; some of them can't handle Dragon Tail damage followed by Stealth Rock damage due to their frailty and weakness to hazards. Similar to Munchlax, Lickilicky can cripple foes through its STAB Body Slam, which has a handy paralysis rate. Lickilicky is bulky, but due to its lack of resistances, it isn't too difficult to take down. If your team can hit Lickilicky hard enough, you can capitalize on it having to use Wish by nabbing a free turn to obtain a crucial boost.

Rain Dance Teams

Opposing weather teams are a problem, because then each weather needs their respective element to sweep. Rain Dance teams can easily handle your Fire-type sweepers in any weather; however, Chlorophyll sweepers can usually land a super effective hit on most Swift Swim Pokemon. Well-played Grass-type Pokemon are effective in talking down Swift Swim sweepers. The downside is that the Speed is all dependent on which team can keep their weather up.

Hail Teams

Snover, by itself, isn't too big of a problem thanks to your Fire-types or coverage attacks on Chlorophyll sweepers, but Snow Warning automatically cancels out Sunny Day on the switch in, which means that a well-played Snover can effectively neuter a whole sun team. Your Pokemon lose all the benefits of sun and get pelted by residual damage each turn instead, almost always putting you on the defensive from step one. Pummeling Snover as it switches in will limit the number of times it can switch in and change the weather.

Trick Room Teams

Although fairly rare in RU, Trick Room teams pose a major threat to standard Sunny Day teams. One of sun's greatest advantages is the Speed granted by Chlorophyll, and the Trick Room playstyle turns Speed into a liability. Trick Room teams also pack powerful attacks, which Sunny Day teams have severe trouble switching into due to their offensive nature. These teams can't be full-on countered as it is a playstyle; however, initially slow sweepers such as Emboar, Tangrowth, and Vileplume might give the player a chance to fight back. Priority is also an excellent way to combat Trick Room teams; Shiftry's Sucker Punch deals with common Trick Room Pokemon, such as Slowking and Duosion, while Entei's ExtremeSpeed is also a strong form of priority. Sun inducers with Protect can stall out Trick Room turns, while those with Taunt, such as Whimsicott, can prevent Trick Room from being set up in the first place.

Building a Sunny Day Team
  1. Capitalize on the sun - This might seem like a given, but players often concern themselves too much with the fact that sun only last 5-8 turns. Basically, build your team so that it capitalizes on the sun enough to give it a distinct advantage over the standard offensive team, but not so much that your team is useless outside of sun.
  2. Support - In addition to the required sun inducers, there are other forms of support that can greatly help the team. SunnyBeam users can be valuable to a Sunny Day team. Rapid Spin support is almost a must if you plan on using Moltres, Charizard, or a Fire-type with a Choice item. Torkoal, Kabutops, and Sandslash make good Rapid Spin users, also providing the team with a useful Rock-type resistance. If you really want to ensure your team is safe from hazards, a Pursuit trapper such as Drapion can be used to eliminate Ghost-types so your Rapid Spin user can spin freely. There is also the more gimmicky option of Magic Coat. Wish or Healing Wish support is useful for giving a sweeper another chance at sweeping. Flareon and Mesprit can provide Wish and Healing Wish support, respectively. Paralysis and dual screen support aids your sweepers with setting up; Natu and Uxie can provide both.
  3. Have a team that is able to pull itself together once the sun turns end - Based on the number of powerful sun sweepers and absence of auto-weather inducers, players might think that throwing together a team of 1 inducer + 5 sun sweepers will lead to success. However, this is not the case. It cannot be stressed enough that sun only lasts 5-8 turns in RU. Often, this window is just too small for the player to pull off a sweep right away, and with a team of 5 sweepers, the player will be scrambling to regroup. Your sweepers need to have offensive synergy, which means they eliminate each other's counters, so the other can freely sweep. Also, your team should be able to handle itself outside of sun. One way you can do this is to have a strong priority attack on your team, such as Entei's ExtremeSpeed or Shiftry's Sucker Punch.
  4. Hazard Control - As previously stated, it's very difficult to pull off a full sweep in the 5-8 turn window you get with sun. For this reason, the player must constantly switch out to set up sun, then switch out again to get that sun to a sweeper. This, combined with most Fire-types having a weakness to Stealth Rock and the natural switching the opponent will force upon you, means hazard control is crucial. One way to control hazards is a Rapid Spin user such as Shell Smash Torkoal. However, in some cases, having to Rapid Spin can greatly slow down your team's offensive momentum. Some alternatives are a fast Pokemon with Taunt, a Pokemon with Magic Coat, or refraining from loading your team with Choice item Pokemon, allowing your Pokemon to switch less often. You'll want to have hazards of your own, not only to secure more KOs but also to keep opposing Fire-types at bay as they are threats to sun teams in general.
  5. Have something that can switch into strong Fire-type attacks - This is something most Sunny Day teams struggle with. What usually happens is an opposing Moltres or Entei comes along and uses the sun against the player, ripping though the few Pokemon that resist Fire-type attacks, which are frail Fire-types. Good sun inducers that resist Fire-type attacks include Regirock and Hariyama. Flash Fire Flareon can be used as an offensive option. Having a Rock-type attack can make sure that Fire-types aren't a problem.

Sample Team

Venus Fly Trap by Texas Cloverleaf

Emboar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Wild Charge
- Head Smash

Regirock @ Heat Rock
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 168 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Sunny Day
- Explosion

Whimsicott @ Heat Rock
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Sunny Day
- Memento

Typhlosion @ Heat Rock
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Sunny Day
- Hidden Power [Rock]

Victreebel @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- SolarBeam
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
- Growth

Uxie @ Heat Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- U-turn
- Sunny Day
- Memento
- Magic Coat
Venus Fly Trap is a really offensive team that starts pummeling the opponent from turn one. The main goal of this team is to make sure sun is up at all times, so the team can get the maximum damage output. Uxie and Whimsicott can both can set up 8 turns of Sunny Day and U-turn out to Victreebel, Typhlosion, or Emboar. Magic Coat on Uxie dissuades the use of Spore and opposing support attacks like Stealth Rock. When Uxie and Whimsicott are on their last legs, they can use Memento, an integral part of the team because otherwise Victreebel would have a hard time setting up. Victreebel is the trump card for the team thanks to Growth, because after a Growth boost it can OHKO much of the tier and easily 2HKOes the part that it doesn't. Dual STAB coverage with SolarBeam and Sludge Bomb with Weather Ball hits the tier for at least neutral damage. Typhlosion takes full advantage of sun by utilizing SolarBeam to 2HKO its counters, Lanturn and Slowking. To make sure sun is up at all times, Typhlosion can also set up Sunny Day in a pinch with Hidden Power Rock rounding out the coverage, hitting Moltres and Entei. Regirock has a very important role in that it sets up Stealth Rock to wear the opponent down and is an emergency panic button of sorts. Thanks to Regirock's immense bulk, it can take on any situation and perform to expectations. Is sun gone with Snover switching in? No worries, Regirock can take a STAB Blizzard and set up Sunny Day. Or if a dangerous sweeper has set up and sun is now gone, Regirock can Explode on it to get rid of the problem. Additionally, Regirock handles Absol and Entei, two Pokemon that are a nightmare for Sunny Day teams to handle. Emboar is the backup for Venus Fly Trap. Outside of sun, Emboar can still outspeed many Pokemon thanks to Choice Scarf and hit them with its range of attacks. Emboar's Fighting STAB is greatly appreciated thanks to its ability to take down Munchlax, which would otherwise prove to be problematic. Venus Fly Trap is an excellent team that showcases the highly offensive nature of Sunny Day teams and how quickly they can overcome the opponent.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this guide, you gained a greater understanding of how Sunny Day teams function as well as the knowledge required to create an effective Sunny Day team in RU! Sunny Day is an incredibly offensive playstyle that can quickly flip the opponent's world in more than one way.
 

Pocket

be the upgraded version of me
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
I have some feedback!

Remove from Inducer:
  • Hitmonchan
  • Sandslash
  • Smeargle
  • Altaria
  • Drifblim
  • Jumpluff

Add to Sweeper:
  • Drifblim - basically moving it from Inducer to Sweeper section
  • Jumpluff - SD Acrobatics >:D
  • Flareon - Toxic Orb Flareon makes for quite a formidable Flame Charge Mixed Sweeper with Facade / Superpower / Fire Blast; also possesses decent special bulk

Remove from Grass-type:
  • Vileplume - slow; outclassed by Victreebel
  • Tropius - slow without chlorophyll; shit without Solar Power
  • Leafeon - good defense is cool, but it's an overall worse Sawsbuck

Add a Support Section:
  • Rapid Spinners - List useful Spinners here; I personally suggest Offensive Smash Torkoal ;)
  • Hazard Setters - Mons like Smeargle goes here
  • Defensive pivots - Any defensive mons that doesn't set up sun goes here (ie BTzz's RestTalk Munchlax)

Remove from Threats: - remove all mons that are hardly seen in RU
  • Mantine
  • Lampent
  • Shelgon
  • Linoone
  • Flareon
  • Altaria

Add to Threats:
  • Rain Teams
  • Slowking - bulky variants can survive even STAB Grass move iirc to cripple Chlorophyll mons; a safe switch-in to Fire-types
  • Druddigon - seconding this - a bitch to take down thanks to its elemental resistances
  • Cresselia - Bulky Duck

Add to Pointers:
  • Rule of Thumb - It's a good idea to pack as many Sun inducers as the number of your Sun abusers; it's counterproductive to pack a lot of ammunition with insufficient set-up
  • Ensure that your offensive core can break through all common defensive cores. Sun teams have 8 turns to plow through the opponent's team. Thus making sure that the combination of your Sun sweeper's offense can break down the opposing team's defensive core is essential to prevent the opponent from burning down the Sun timers and making the Sun abusers less effective when the sun fades.
  • There should be less emphasis in "being able to fall-back when the Sun is down," and more emphasis on "maximizing damage output when the sun is out" and "keeping the sun up as long as possible." This is a very fast-paced, offensive playstyle - it really doesn't quite fit balanced or defensive archetypes.

Remove Sun Stall: For the reasoning I stated above, there should be no Sun Stall section. It's counterproductive to burn the 8 turns of Sun by stalling -_-;; This is why I am also opposed to Stall Flareon, lol.

Find a Different Team: BTzz's team is not an ideal representation of what an RU Sun team should be. It's too balanced, losing momentum gained by its offensive mons too easily. Prankster Sun Inducer / SR Sun Inducer / Chlorophyll Sweeper / Fire Sweeper / Filler / Filler should start us off.
 

Yonko7

Guns make you stupid. Duct tape makes you smart.
is a Contributor Alumnus
Thank you Pocket for taking the time to look through the guide!

EDIT: Will finish updating in the mornin'.
 

Pocket

be the upgraded version of me
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
So Texas magnanimously offered to share his Sun Team for this article! Texas's Venus Fly Trap should replace BTzz's team:

Emboar @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Wild Charge
- Head Smash

Regirock @ Heat Rock
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 168 SDef
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Sunny Day
- Explosion

Whimsicott @ Heat Rock
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Sunny Day
- Memento

Typhlosion @ Heat Rock
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Sunny Day
- Hidden Power [Rock]

Victreebel @ Life Orb
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- SolarBeam
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
- Growth

Uxie @ Heat Rock
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- U-turn
- Sunny Day
- Memento
- Magic Coat


17:23 Pocket lol wow texas
17:23 Pocket 4 Heat Rock users @.@
17:23 Pocket that's a bit much imho
17:23 Pocket i'd probably replace Heat Rock for Life Orb on Typhlosion
17:24 Texas nah pocket, the team is dependent on sun
17:24 Texas by having typh heat rock it
17:24 Texas i can sweep for four turns
17:24 Texas die or switch
17:24 Texas and keep going with boar/bell
17:24 Pocket okay
17:24 Texas its self-sufficiency
17:24 Texas that was key
17:24 Pocket 3 wasn't enough?
17:24 Texas typhlosion was the other side oft eh spectrum
17:25 Texas by allowing it to set up full sun
17:25 Texas I was able to have versatility
17:25 Texas in when/where/how i set it up
17:25 Texas for the team
17:25 Texas it was the offensive setter
17:25 Texas compared tot he two support setters
17:25 Texas and the defensive setter
 

Yonko7

Guns make you stupid. Duct tape makes you smart.
is a Contributor Alumnus
Wow, that's awesome. Thanks Texas and Pocket! ^.^

There is one change that I'm hesitant about, I think Leafeon should still stay, because it has the defensive bulk to set up more boosts than Sawsbuck.

EDIT: I think Flareon should stay for a threat.
 

Yonko7

Guns make you stupid. Duct tape makes you smart.
is a Contributor Alumnus
I have all my edits in the OP. I'm sure I've made a mistake somewhere ^^
****


Additions
  • Mention Vital Spirit as a plus for Magmortar, under Fire-types
  • Mention opposing Sap Sippers, notably, Bouffalant as it can get a boost from Grass-type attacks and has the bulk to tank any other attacks from Chlorophyll sweepers
  • Maybe mention Clefable as a defensive threat
  • Mention Druddigon as it has the typing, bulk, and priority to make life hard to Sun teams
  • Maybe mention Nidoqueen as a Sun sweeper, as a boosted Fire Blast and good coverage can help
  • Roselia as she can tank special attacks all day, sans Fire attacks, ie wall Chlorophyll sweepers--add to threats
  • Include Texas's team and explanation

    Sweeper Section
  • Drifblim, it isn't that good of an inducer, but is a good Sweeper
  • Jumpluff, Swords Dance Acrobatics under Sun is faster than lightning
  • Flareon, Toxic Orb + Facade with Flame Charge is a decent mixed attacker

    Support Section
    Rapid Spinners
  • Offensive Shell Smash Torkoal, provides offensive presence thanks to Sun, and can beat Spin blockers
  • Smergle gets moved to here
  • Sandslash gets moved here
  • Kabutops has a place to switch into Fire-type attacks easily, but its Water-type attacks are weakened, but it still has Stone Edge
  • Drapion can trap Ghosts to facilitate spinning
  • Natu to use Magic Bounce

    Defensive Pivots
  • ResTalk Munchlax goes here
  • Evolite Rhydon with its bulk and can set up Stealth Rock

    Threats Section
  • Rain teams, as then weather control happens and in their respective weather life will be hard.
  • Slowking, specially bulky variants can survive basically anything
  • Hail teams, cancels out Sunny Day

    Building a Sunny Day Team
  • Have as many inducers so weather is almost always up
  • Offensive synergy is really important, because time is essential
  • Change general tone to trying to punch giant holes, rather than playing safe

Removals
  • Hitmonchan, it simply doesn't do anything but Foresight + Rapid Spin or Sun, whereas other Spinners can do that and more
  • Sandslash, it slows the pace down considerably for offensive Sun teams
  • Altaria, as she is rarely seen in RU
  • Drifblim, there are other Pokemon that can use the team spot better
  • Jumpluff, Whimsicott completely usurped her
  • Vileplume from Grass-type sweepers because Victreebel is better
  • Tropius, needs both abilities to be effective, but isn't too good with one
  • Mantine, isn't seen enough to mention
  • Lampent, " "
  • Sheldon, " "
  • Linoone, has a hard time setting up against high-powered sweepers
  • Flareon, is hardly seen
  • Altaria, " "
  • Sun Stall, Sun isn't unlimited so why send time constantly setting it up

Miscellaneous Changes
  • Not 'hype' up Munchlax as much as the article does
  • Have an offensive sample team, which exhibits the offensive nature of Sun


Discarded Additions
  • Add Escavalier as a threat as it can tank anything but a Fire-type attack and hit hard with Megahorn
  • Mention Flareon for Sunny Day stall to deal with Fire-types thanks to Flash Fire & Wish
  • Ferroseed as a threat like a Escavalier that can cause problems unless having a Fire attack
  • Include Cresselia as a Sun inducer (I'm hesitant to do this until the suspect testing is done)

Guide to RU Sunny Day Teams
By BTzz and Endorfins
Code:
GP Checks: [ ] [ ]
  1. Overview
  2. Effects of Sun
  3. Sunny Day Users
  4. Sun Sweepers
  5. Grass-type Sweepers
  6. Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table
  7. Speeds to Beat
  8. Fire Power (Fire-type Sweepers)
  9. Sunny Day Supporters
  10. Threats to Sunny Day Teams
  11. Building a Sunny Day Team
  12. Sample Team
  13. Conclusion

Overview
Original said:
During the early stages of BW UU, Drought teams ran rampant with Vulpix at their helm. This meant that a lot of sun abusers spent their time up in UU, leaving RU Sunny Day teams with very few options. Now that Drought Vulpix has been banned in UU, a host of sun sweepers have dropped down to RU, ready to wreak havoc. Sunny Day is an extremely potent playstyle, allowing the player to overwhelm the opponent with boosted Fire-type attacks and blisteringly fast Chlorophyll sweepers. Sun is an often-overlooked playstyle in the RU metagame, mostly due to the fact that the only Pokemon that can provide permanent sunlight through Drought sit comfortably in OU and Ubers. This means the player will have to set up sun manually with Sunny Day itself, just like in previous generations. However, unlike DPP OU, the potential of RU Sunny Day teams is huge as they do not have to compete with opposing automatic weather inducers and an abundance of*Dragon-types. RU is also home to a variety of lethal sweepers which can sweep entire teams with ease under the sun. However, the Sunny Day playstyle does run into some problems. This guide will introduce you to some of the best options for a Sunny Day team, explain how you can build the best Sunny Day team possible, and provide some general tips on playing with these teams.
Revamp Overview, will do after the guide is done

Effects of Sun
Original said:
The following effects occur while Sunny Day is active:
The Base Power of Fire-type moves is increased by 50%.
Pokemon with the ability Chlorophyll have their Speed doubled.
The Base Power of Water-type moves is decreased by 50%.
SolarBeam's charge turn is removed.
Growth increases Attack and Special Attack by two stages instead of one.
Pokemon cannot be frozen.
Thunder and Hurricane's accuracies are reduced to 50%.
Weather Ball effectively becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type move.
Synthesis, Moonlight, and Morning Sun recover 66% of the user's HP.
Pokemon with the Solar Power ability have their Special Attack increased by 50% but lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
Pokemon with the Leaf Guard ability become immune to status (note: the user is prevented from using the move Rest).
Pokemon with the Dry Skin ability lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
Cherrim and Castform change formes.
Fine as it is~

The Sun Inducers
Original said:
Pokemon which can set up the sun are arguably the most important components of a Sunny Day team. A good sun inducer must be able to reliably set up sun either at the beginning of or consistently throughout a battle. Good sun inducers should also be able to provide their team with other support, such as entry hazards, dual screens, or Rapid Spin.

Heat Rock

Heat Rock increases the duration of Sunny Day from 5 turns to 8, making the setup more worthwhile; sweeping under the sun also becomes a lot easier. It should be noted that using Heat Rock means your Pokemon has to forgo a useful item such as Leftovers or Eviolite. Basically, what it boils down to is that Heat Rock gives you the extended sun for a sweep, while Leftovers gives your inducer the durability to set up Sunny Day multiple times in one battle.
Doesn't need an update, everything is alright

Uxie
Uxie is regarded as one of the go-to support Pokemon in RU thanks to its immense bulk and plethora of utility options. It has the bulk to set up sun throughout a battle while aiding a sweep with dual screens, Magic Coat, Heal Bell, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Yawn, or even U-turn. Uxie also has access to Memento, which ensures that a sweeper can safely switch in once the sun has been set up, although at the cost of Uxie's life. However, one thing to keep in mind with Uxie is that it lacks offensive presence, making it likely setup bait.

Remove Hitmonchan

Move Sandslash to support section

Regirock

Regirock can reliably set up Sunny Day with its ridiculous physical bulk, which is statistically the best in the game bar Eviolite users. Perhaps the best attribute Regirock brings to a sun team is its ability to check major threats to sun, such as Entei and Typhlosion. Regirock also has some nice support options in Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave. While known for its bulk, Regirock is no slouch offensively. STAB Stone Edge ruins Moltres and Entei, while it can even capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Punch. Finally, Regirock can utilize Explosion to bring a sweeper in safely.
Updated Regirock

Remove Slowking

Move Smergle to Support section

Mesprit

At first glance, Mesprit might seem outclassed by Uxie as a sun inducer, but it has an interesting niche in utilizing Healing Wish. Healing Wish completely restores a teammate to its peak performance, but can only be used at the cost of Mesprit's remaining HP; nevertheless, it can be extremely valuable to sun sweepers, which get rapidly worn down by Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil. Mesprit also has access to U-turn and Stealth Rock, but it has higher offensive stats than Uxie, allowing it to take on an offensive role with useful attacks such as Hidden Power Fire, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt. This means Mesprit can keep up your team's offensive momentum, as it is much more difficult to set up on as opposed to other inducers. Mesprit's mediocre Speed is actually a good thing with U-turn, as it means that Mesprit will likely take the opponent's attack rather than your sweeper.
Whimsicott doesn't need an update

Volbeat & Illumise

When it comes to reliably setting sun up, it's hard to look past Volbeat and Illumise. Much like Whimsicott, they have access to the exclusive Prankster ability, giving them priority on non-attacking moves, most notably Sunny Day. This means that aside from a rare priority Taunt, they are guaranteed to set up sun at least once per match. However, the fireflies face competition as Prankster Sunny Day users from Whimsicott, which has superior Speed and moves such as Leech Seed and Memento. However, Volbeat has its own unique aspect in the form of Tail Glow and Baton Pass, which, if pulled off successfully with the sun still shining, can set up a sweeper such as Lilligant for the rest of the game. Volbeat and Illumise also have a slow U-turn that can get a sweeper in safely. Aside from the moves already listed, Volbeat and Illumise have access to Thunder Wave and Encore, which can cripple opposing setup sweepers and Choice Scarf users, aiding a Chlorophyll user's sweep. Unfortunately, Volbeat and Illumise are quite frail and fall to powerful STAB and / or super effective attacks even with maximum investment. Their Bug typing also gives them a Stealth Rock weakness and vulnerability to both forms of Spikes.
Voltbeat & Illumise: Removed mention of Murkrow

Remove Murkrow

Hariyama doesn't need an update

Altaria doesn't need an update

Move Driflblim to sweeper section

Move Drapion to support section

Move Natu to Support section

Jumpluff gets moved to sweeper section

Sun Sweepers
Original said:
Perhaps the scariest thing about Sunny Day teams is the diversity of their attacks. Sun sweepers range from Grass-types to Fire-types, while rain teams are plagued by the one-dimensionality of Water-types. Grass- and Fire-types also share excellent synergy; Fire-types often have trouble getting past Water- and Rock-types, which can be setup bait for your Grass-type sweepers. Moreover, your Grass-types can lure in opposing Grass- and Steel-types for your Fire-type sweepers to switch in safely and fire off a powerful attack. In this section, we take a look at some sun sweepers to consider in RU.
Looks alright, doesn't need an update

Grass-type Sweepers
Original said:
Most Grass-types become whole new monsters under the sunlight. In addition to the versatile movepools most Chlorophyll sweepers boast, they gain a doubled Speed stat and an upgraded Growth that now raises the Attack and Special Attack of the user by two stages as opposed to one, which is equivalent to a Shell Smash but without the defensive drops. Most Grass-type sweepers also have Sleep Powder in their arsenal, making them even more difficult to stop. Although Chlorophyll is arguably the best ability to use with limited sunlight, there are other viable abilities such as Leaf Guard which can allow your sweeper to set up without fear of being afflicted by status.
Looks alright for the most part, will update with a more offensive tone.

Lilligant
Lilligant is a name commonly seen in the RU metagame; Quiver Dance boosts its best stats, allowing it to easily sweep through whole teams after two or more boosts. In the sun, however, Lilligant becomes an even greater threat than before. Due to the sun already boosting Lilligant's Speed, more EVs can be allocated to Lilligant's often underestimated bulk, which can turn it into a powerful, bulky setup sweeper. Sun also boosts the power of Hidden Power Fire, Lilligant's main coverage move alongside its Grass-type STAB. Sleep Powder is a common move on most sun teams due to the many Chlorophyll sweepers, but Lilligant can opt for the less-used Aromatherapy to cure itself and its teammates of debilitating status effects such as Toxic and paralysis and set up on most walls without fear of status. Although attackers with Quiver Dance are by far the most common variants of Lilligant, it can also hustle up an effective Sunny Day support set. Leaf Storm hits very hard while Aromatherapy can provide team support. Lilligant's biggest selling point, however, is its access to Healing Wish, which can get a sweeper in safely while restoring it back to full health.
Doesn't need an update

Tangrowth
While Tangrowth is one of the slowest Chlorophyll sweepers, it boasts the highest combined attacking stats out of all of them, along with an impressive base 125 Defense stat. This, backed by Tangrowth's incredibly expansive offensive movepool that includes attacks such as Leaf Storm, Power Whip, Giga Drain, Earthquake, Rock Slide, and Sleep Powder, makes Tangrowth quite the formidable sweeper. Tangrowth's excellent mixed attacking stats can also be bolstered by Growth. However, even with the Chlorophyll boost, Tangrowth's poor base 50 Speed will see it outsped by Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-S and Typhlosion, which can prey upon Tangrowth's mediocre Special Defense.
Update to include other common Choice Scarfers: Rotom-F > -S


Sawsbuck
Newly introduced into the ranks of Chlorophyll sweepers, Sawsbuck ranks amongst the fastest, hitting a staggering 634 Speed with a Chlorophyll boost. Sawsbuck can rip through teams after a Swords Dance using its signature attack Horn Leech, which can help reduce the recoil from STAB Double-Edge, and Nature Power, which acts as Earthquake in simulator and Wi-Fi battles. Sawsbuck can also use Megahorn to hit the fairly common Dark- and Psychic-types that reside in RU, or Jump Kick to hit Ferroseed. Sawsbuck's biggest drawback is without a doubt its frailty, which sometimes makes it difficult to set up.
Everything is fine, mention that Nature Power dodges Sucker Punch

Shiftry
Shiftry is an absolute juggernaut under the sun, thanks to a plethora of stat boosting options that include Growth, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Perhaps Shiftry's biggest selling point when considering it for your sun team is its STAB Sucker Punch, which, when boosted by Swords Dance or Growth, allows it to sweep outside of the sun or deal with Choice Scarf users and priority abusers that cause problems for sun teams. Shiftry can also use a viable special set with its access to Nasty Plot and special attacks such as SolarBeam, Giga Drain, Dark Pulse, Focus Blast, or some variant of Hidden Power. Being able to run viable special and physical sets make Shiftry very dangerous when trying to counter it, as the opponent might switch to their physical wall expecting a Swords Dance variant, only to be met by a +2 Nasty Plot Shiftry. Despite Shiftry's average attacking stats, it can effectively run a mixed set thanks to powerful attacks such Leaf Storm and Nature Power (Earthquake), along with priority in Sucker Punch, which enables Shiftry to take some EVs out of Speed and put them into its attacking stats. Shiftry does have its fair share of problems through; it is overwhelmingly frail and needs to set up to be able to sweep, allowing the opponent to take advantage of this by attacking Shiftry outright.
Doesn't need an update

Exeggutor
Exeggutor beats out even Lilligant for the highest Special Attack stat among Chlorophyll sweepers at base 125, but unfortunately has no way to boost it. Now that Growth has received a buff, Exeggutor faces stiff competition as a Chlorophyll sweeper in the RU tier. While Exeggutor lacks a move to boost its main stat, it doesn't necessarily need one to sweep thanks to its naturally high Special Attack. Exeggutor is the hardest initial hitter out of all of the Chlorophyll sweepers, meaning it doesn't have to waste a turn setting up and risk being hit in the process. On the special side, Exeggutor has Leaf Storm, Giga Drain, SolarBeam, Psychic, Psyshock, and of course, Hidden Power. While Attack isn't Exeggutor's best stat, it can utilize Swords Dance to attempt a sweep. However, Exeggutor's physical movepool is fairly sparse with the only viable options consisting of Seed Bomb, Nature Power (Earthquake), Return, and Wood Hammer. Exeggutor's major downfall is similar to Tangrowth's: its naturally low Speed and Special Defense leave it open to various specially-based Choice Scarf users such as Moltres and Rotom-C. Exeggutor is also weak to Pursuit, meaning Drapion can easily deal with it after switching with impunity into a Psychic-type attack.
Fine as is, but I think rewording Psyshock's use could be done

Victreebel
Although Victreebel may not be one of the most prominent RU Pokemon, it would be foolish to underestimate it. With the sun shining, Victreebel can pull off an almost unstoppable mixed Growth set that deals with a large portion of walls and outspeeds most opposing sweepers. One of the greatest assets that Victreebel has over its numerous Chlorophyll competitors is the semi-exclusive Weather Ball. As its name suggests, this move functions best in various weathers, and in the sun it becomes a 150 Base Power Fire move factoring in the boost to Fire-type attacks. Victreebel also possesses priority in Sucker Punch, which can take down Choice Scarf holders hoping to outspeed Victreebel in the sun, as well as the ability to remove Toxic Spikes, which bother quite a few sun inducers, upon entry.
Include Swords Dance, and the merit of only investing pure physically

Remove Vileplume

Leafeon
Leafeon received Chlorophyll as its Dream World ability and can certainly capitalize on it with its nice base 95 Speed and 110 Attack. Leafeon is best described as a hybrid between Tangrowth and Sawsbuck; it's similar to Tangrowth with its base 130 Defense (which is actually 5 points higher than Tangrowth's) and Sawsbuck with its access to Swords Dance. With Leafeon's bulk, it finds it much easier to obtain multiple boosts, unlike Sawsbuck. What is stopping Leafeon from being the most prominent Chlorophyll sweeper is its absolutely barren physical movepool, in which the only viable options consist of Leaf Blade, X-Scissor, and Return, leaving it completely walled by Steel-types unless it resorts to the gimmicky Dig. With such a poor physical movepool, Leafeon does have room for a move that supports the team, such as Heal Bell or Wish, and can use Synthesis to prolong its sweep.
Doesn't need an update

Remove Tropius

Add Jumpluff and SD Acrobatics, and combined with massive Speed

Speed Table(s) don't need an update

Fire Power (Fire-type Sweepers)

Moltres
As if its Fire Blast weren't strong enough, the sun's boost to Fire-type attacks leaves Munchlax and Slowking the only Pokemon who can safely switch into them, with the latter still being 2HKOed by a Choice Specs SolarBeam. Moltres also boasts exceptional bulk for a Fire-type, and with Roost or Morning Sun, Moltres's Stealth Rock weakness isn't as severe as it seems. U-turn enables Moltres to scout for counters while maintaining the team's offensive momentum, but is only advised if you have Rapid Spin support. Support options such as Safeguard, Will-O-Wisp, Tailwind, and Roar make Moltres a very versatile threat.
Add a stronger emphasis of LO, and remove support section

Typhlosion
Typhlosion separates itself from the pack of Fire-types with Eruption; at full health and in the sun, Eruption hits a ridiculous 337 Base Power after factoring in STAB, and Typhlosion can hit just as hard as Fire Blast when at low HP thanks to Blaze, ensuring that it can continue to be a threat throughout the match. With access to SolarBeam and Focus Blast, Typhlosion can dispose of most Pokemon that resist Fire. Typhlosion is also tied with Entei at base 100 Speed, making it an excellent Choice Specs user as opposed to some of the other Fire-types who need the Speed from Choice Scarf to be effective. While Typhlosion sees the most success as a special sweeper, it can put together an all-out physical or mixed set with its fairly diverse physical movepool that consists of Flare Blitz, Earthquake, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Brick Break, and Wild Charge.
Doesn't need an update

Charizard doesn't need an update

Entei doesn't need an update

Emboar is fine

Magmortar
While Magmortar has mainly made a name for itself in NU, it fares well in RU as a sun sweeper thanks to its incredibly diverse movepool, backed by an impressive base 125 Special Attack and passable base 83 Speed. With options such as Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, and SolarBeam, Magmortar can use its Hidden Power slot to dispose of a general annoyance to sun teams—Altaria. With a base 95 Attack, Magmortar arguably runs the best mixed set out of all the Fire-types and thanks to Cross Chop, Magmortar joins Emboar as one of the few Fire-types who can easily get pest Munchlax.
Update completely: remove the part about NU, remove Altaria mention

Camerupt doesn't need an update

Rapidash doesn't need an update

Add a Flareon set that utilizes Toxic Orb + Facade with Flame Charge as an effective mixed attacker

Remove Stall section

Add a support section in the article

Sunny Day Supporters

Rapid Spin Support

Add Shell Smash Torkoal, which can beat Spinblockers with sheer force thanks to boost+sun+STAB on Fire Blast.

Smergle gets moved here, with an emphasis on supporting a team, rather than exclusively setting up Sunny Day

Sandslash gets moved here, with an emphasis on spin support, but include mention of Sunny Day

Kabutops gets added, thanks to its 4x resistance to Fire-type attacks, and can spin. Water-type STAB gets nerfed, but still has Stone Edge.

Drapion can help get rid of Ghost-types to facilitate spinner, absorb the rare Toxic Spikes, and can set up Sunny Day is needed

Natu and magic bounce

Mesprit: Healing Wish, SR, screens

Defensive Pivots

RestTalk Munchlax is noted in this section

Evolite Rhydon gets a mention thanks to its bulk and can set up SR, while still having an offensive presence

Druddigon has the resistances to many attacks in case momentum switches, and can use Glare, Sucker Punch, or STAB Outrage. SR too~

Threats to Sunny Day Teams

Munchlax is alright, add a little less "excitement"

Remove Altaria, is rarely seen in RU

Moltres is good

Entei is good, but add the commonality of Choice Band sets, and emphasis beating Entei with Substitute (bypasses ES), or just pummel it down.

Flareon is good

Lickilicky is good

Absol is good

Remove Linoone, how can it set up when you apply such offensive pressure?

Shelgon -> Mantine, aren't seen too often

Druddigon: has many resistances, sucker punch, glare,outrage, SR, makes life hell.

Slowking: specially defensive can take about anything, and can utterly block Fire-types, combine with Slack Off and Regenerator its staying

Rain Dance Teams: weather control occurs, but RD teams will typically have trouble with your Grass-type sweepers. Conversely, you'll have trouble with your Fire-type sweepers. Whoever can control weather will usually win.

Hail Teams: Snover can brush off Grass-type attacks, but not Fire-type. Cancels out Sun and gives you residual damage instead.

Building a Sunny Day Team

1: Good

2: Good for the most part, will mention other Spinners (Torkoal, Kabutops).

3: Good for the most part, mention offensive synergy and taking out each other's counters, and remove defensive synergy.

4: Good for the most part, include SS Torkoal rather than Sandslash

5: Good for the most part, remove mention of Altaria and include another Pokemon, and add the option of Rock-type attacks on sweepers to prevent Fire-types from overwhelming.

Sample Team

Venus Fly Trap by Texas Cloverleaf

Emboar @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Wild Charge
- Head Smash

Regirock @ Heat Rock
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 168 SDef
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Sunny Day
- Explosion

Whimsicott @ Heat Rock
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Sunny Day
- Memento

Typhlosion @ Heat Rock
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Sunny Day
- Hidden Power [Rock]

Victreebel @ Life Orb
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- SolarBeam
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
- Growth

Uxie @ Heat Rock
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- U-turn
- Sunny Day
- Memento
- Magic Coat
--Explain Texas's gameplan with the team--

Conclusion

Final Words, add how gung-ho Sunny Day teams are!
 
I would just remove the Defensive Sunny Day / Sunny Day Stall section as a whole since it's not even viable. All of your other changes look solid at first glance. I'll check it again once it reaches the GP stage. Great job so far guys!
 

Yonko7

Guns make you stupid. Duct tape makes you smart.
is a Contributor Alumnus
Done updating beeches~

Is the final product going to have pictures like it does here? Or do I need to have pictures in the OP?

Also, t'is ready for grammar~
 
GP check. Great job on writing this.
Additions in Blue
Subtractions in Red
Comments in Purple

  1. Overview
  2. Effects of Sun
  3. Sunny Day Users
  4. Sun Sweepers
  5. Grass-type Sweepers
  6. Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table
  7. Speeds to Beat
  8. Fire Power (Fire-type Sweepers)
  9. Sunny Day Supporters
  10. Threats to Sunny Day Teams
  11. Building a Sunny Day Team
  12. Sample Team
  13. Conclusion

Overview

Sunny Day teams are usually seen as the inferior cousins to Rain Dance teams, (change to semicolon) however, this isn't true, as there are plenty of sun sweepers that can easily change your mind. Sunny Day is an extremely potent pllaystyle playstyle that can quickly turn the world upside down if given the chance with its blisteringly fast Chlorophyll sweepers or volcanic Fire-types. Unlike OU, in RU there is only one automatic weather inducer, and it cannot switch into many of a sun team's attacks. All isn't sunshine for Sunny Day teams though, as they do run into some problems. This guide will introduce you to some of the best options for a Sunny Day team, explain how you can build the best Sunny Day team possible, and provide some general tips on playing with these teams.

Effects of Sun

The following effects occur while Sunny Day is active:
  • The Base Power of Fire-type moves is increased by 50%.
  • Pokemon with the ability Chlorophyll have their Speed doubled.
  • The Base Power of Water-type moves is decreased by 50%.
  • SolarBeam's charge turn is removed.
  • Growth increases Attack and Special Attack by two stages instead of one.
  • Pokemon cannot be frozen.
  • Thunder and Hurricane's accuracies are reduced to 50%.
  • Weather Ball effectively becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type move.
  • Synthesis, Moonlight, and Morning Sun recover 66% of the user's HP.
  • Pokemon with the Solar Power ability have their Special Attack increased by 50% but lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
  • Pokemon with the Leaf Guard ability become immune to status (note: the user is prevented from using the move Rest).
  • Pokemon with the Dry Skin ability lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
  • Cherrim and Castform change formes.

The Sun Inducers

Pokemon that can set up sun are arguably the most important components of any Sunny Day team. A good sun inducer must be able to reliably set up sun any time during a battle; sun inducers should also be able to provide their team with other support, such as entry hazards, dual screens, or Rapid Spin.

Heat Rock

Uxie

Uxie is regarded as one of the go-to support Pokemon in RU thanks to its immence immense bulk and plethora of utility options. It has the bulk to set up sun throughout a battle while aiding a sweep with dual screens, Magic Coat, Heal Bell, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Yawn, or even U-turn. Uxie also has access to Memento, which ensures that a sweeper can set up safely at the cost of Uxie's life. Uxie lacks offensive presence, so it cannot do any significant damage.

Regirock

Regirock can reliably set up Sunny Day thanks to its awesome physical bulk, which is statistically the best in the game bar Evolite Eviolite users. Regirock's best attribute is its ability to check major threats to sun teams, such as Entei and Choice Scarf Typholosion Typhlosion. Regirock also has some nice support options in Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave. While known for its bulk, Regirock is no slouch offensively. STAB Stone Edge ruins Moltres and Entei (add comma) and Regirock can even capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Punch. Finally, Regirock can use Explosion to bring in a sweeper safely.

Mesprit

At first glance, Mesprit might look like a lesser Uxie, but it has an interesting niche with Healing Wish. Healing Wish completely restores a teammate to its peak performance, but can only be used at the cost of Mesprit's life; nevertheless, it is extremely valuable to sun sweepers, which can get rapidly worn down by Stealth Rock and Life Orb recoil. Mesprit also has access to U-turn and Stealth Rock, but it has higher offensive stats than Uxie using them goes against one of Mesprit's biggest advantages over Uxie, its higher offensive stats (or a different phrasing if you don't like mine or this isn't what you were trying to say). This lets Mesprit take on an offensive role with useful attacks such as Hidden Power Fire, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt. Mesprit can keep your team's offensive momentum, as it is much more difficult to be set up on than other inducers. Mesprit's mediocre Speed is actually a good thing with U-turn, because it means that Mesprit will likely take the attack, rather than your sweeper.

Whimsicott

Whimsicott is one of the few sun inducers in RU with access to Prankster, giving it priority on moves such as Sunny Day and Taunt. With Prankster, it doesn't have to worry about Speed, meaning it can fully invest in its mediocre defenses. Like Uxie, Whimsicott can utilize Memento to assist an incoming sweeper that plans to set up. In the same vein, priority Encore can be very useful for locking the opponent in into an unfavorable move, allowing a sweeper to switch in and set up safely. Whimsicott usually has room for an attack, which could be allocated to STAB SolarBeam. One drawback with Whimsicott is that is will compound weakness weaknesses due to its Grass-type Grass typing, which is shared with other the Chlorophyll sweepers.

Volbeat & Illumise

When it comes to reliably setting sun up, it's hard to look past Volbeat and Illumise. Much like Whimsicott, they have access to the exclusive rare Prankster ability, giving them priority on non-attacking moves, most notably Sunny Day. This means that aside from a rare priority Taunt, they are guaranteed to set up sun at least once per match. However, the fireflies two face competition as Prankster Sunny Day users from Whimsicott, which has superior Speed and moves such as Leech Seed and Memento. However, Volbeat has its own unique aspect in the form of Tail Glow and Baton Pass, which, if pulled off successfully with the sun still shining, can set up a sweeper such as Lilligant for the rest of the game. Volbeat and Illumise also have a slow U-turn that can get a sweeper in safely. Aside from the moves already listed, Volbeat and Illumise have access to Thunder Wave and Encore, which can cripple opposing setup sweepers and Choice Scarf users, aiding a Chlorophyll user's sweep. Unfortunately, Volbeat and Illumise are quite frail and fall to powerful STAB and / or super effective attacks even with maximum investment.

Hariyama

Hariyama has bulk on par with the other sun inducers, but it is able to differentiate itself with its ability and typing. One of Hariyama's abilities, Thick Fat, gives the sumo wrestler it resistances to Fire- and Ice-type attacks. This, along with Hariyama's resistance to Rock-type attacks, means Hariyama has great type synergy with sun teams, as he it can sponge Ice- and Fire-type attacks aimed at Grass-type Chlorophyll sweepers, as well as Rock-type attacks aimed at Fire-type sweepers. Thanks to its base 120 Attack, Hariyama arguably provides the most offensive presence out of all the inducers, being one of few that can deal with the menace to sun teams that is Munchlax. It can spread paralysis with Force Palm and deal with troublesome Dragon-types with Ice Punch.

Altaria

One of the greatest obstacles for RU Sunny Day teams can also do an admirable job supporting them. Altaria boasts good defensive stats, typing, and support options including Perish Song, Haze, and Heal Bell. Its access to Natural Cure, coupled with reliable recovery in Roost, make makes it one of the most durable sun inducers available in RU. Altaria can capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Blast to dispose Steel-types that will likely switch into it expecting Dragon-type attacks.

Sun Sweepers

Perhaps the scariest thing about Sunny Day teams is the diversity of their attacks. Sun sweepers range from include both Grass-types to and Fire-types, while rain teams are one-dimensional with Water-types. Grass- and Fire-types share excellent synergy; Fire-types often have trouble getting past Water- and Rock-types, which can be setup bait for your Grass-type sweepers. Moreover, your Grass-types can lure in opposing Grass- and Steel-types for your Fire-type sweepers to switch in safely and fire off a powerful attack. In this section, we take a look at some sun sweepers to consider in RU.

Grass-type Sweepers

Most Grass-types become whole new monsters under the sunlight. In addition to the versatile movepools most Chlorophyll sweepers boast, they gain doubled Speed stat stats and an upgraded Growth that now raises the Attack and Special Attack by two stages as opposed to one, which is equivalent to a Shell Smash but without the defensive drops. Most Grass-types sweepers also have Sleep Powder in their arsenal, making them even more difficult to stop. Although Chlorophyll is arguably the best ability to use in sun, there are other abilities such as Leaf Guard that can allow your sweeper to set up without fear of being afflicted by status.

Lilligant

Lilligant is commonly seen in the RU metagame; Quiver Dance boosts its best stats, allowing it to easily sweep through whole teams after two or more boosts. In the sun, Lilligant becomes an even greater threat than before. Thanks to the sun already boosting Lilligant's Speed, more EVs can be allocated to Lilligant's often underestimated bulk, which can turn it into a powerful, bulky setup sweeper. Sun also boosts the power of Hidden Power Fire, Lilligant's main coverage move alongside its Grass-type STAB. Sleep Powder is a common move on most sun teams thanks to its their many Chlorophyll sweepers that Lilligant can make good use of, (change to semicolon) on the other hand, Lilligant can opt for the less-used Aromatherpy to cure itself and its teammates of status effects such as paralysis, (remove comma) and set up on most walls without fear. Lilligant can also support its teammates with Healing Wish, which can give a sweeper a second breath.

Tangrowth

While Tangrowth is one of the slowest Chlorophyll sweepers, it boasts the highest combined offensive stats of all of them, along with an impressive base 125 Defense stat. This, backed by Tangrowth's incredibly expansive offensive movepool that includes attacks such as Leaf Storm, Focus Blast, Power Whip, Earthquake, and Sleep Powder, makes Tangrowth quite the formidable sweeper. Tangrowth's excellent mixed attacking stats can also be bolstered by Growth. However, even with the Speed boost, Tangrowth's low base 50 Speed will be outspeed leaves it outsped by Choice Scarf users like Rotom-F and Typhlosion, which can prey on Tangrowth's mediocre Special Defense.

Sawsbuck

Newly introduced into the ranks of Chlorophyll sweepers, Sawsbuck ranks amongst the fastest Chlorophyll sweepers, hitting a staggering 634 Speed with a Chlorophyll boost. Sawsbuck can rip through teams after a Swords Dance using its signature attack Horn Leech, which can help helps reduce the recoil from STAB Double-Edge, and Nature Power, which acts as Earthquake in simulator and Wi-Fi battles. Sawsbuck can also use Megahorn to hit the fairly common Dark- and Psychic-types that reside in RU, (remove comma) or Jump Kick to hit Ferroseed. Sawsbuck can even avoid Sucker Punch with Nature Power ensuring it won't get taken down that way. Sawsbuck's biggest drawback is without a doubt its frailty, which sometimes makes it difficult to set up.

Shiftry

Shiftry is an absolute juggernaut under the sun, thanks to a plethora of stat boosting options that include includes Growth, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Perhaps Shiftry's biggest selling point when considering it for your sun team is its STAB Sucker Punch, which, when boosted by Swords Dance or Growth, allows it to sweep outside of the sun or deal with Choice Scarf users and priority users that cause problems for sun teams. Shiftry can also use a viable special set with its access to Nasty Plot and special attacks such as SolarBeam, Giga Drain, Dark Pulse, Focus Blast, or some variant of Hidden Power. Being able to run viable special and physical sets make Shiftry very dangerous when trying to counter it, as the opponent might switch to their physical wall expecting a Swords Dance variant, only to be met by a +2 Nasty Plot Shiftry. Despite Shiftry's average attacking stats, it can effectively run a mixed set thanks to powerful attacks such as Leaf Storm and Nature Power (Earthquake), along with priority in Sucker Punch, which enables Shiftry to take some EVs out of Speed and put them into its attacking stats. Shiftry does have its fair share of problems though; it is overwhelmingly frail and needs to set up to be able to sweep, allowing the opponent to take advantage of this by attacking Shiftry outright.

Exeggutor

Exegugutor Exeggutor beats even Lilligant for the highest Special Attack stat among Chlorophyll sweepers at base 125, but unfortunately (add comma) it has not no way to boost it. Now that Growth is introduced Lacking Growth, Exeggutor faces stiff competition as a Chlorophyll sweeper in the RU tier. While Exeguutor However, while Exeggutor lacks a boosting move, it doesn't need one to sweep thanks to its naturally high Special Attack. Exeggutor is the hardest initial hitter of all the Chlorophyll sweepers, meaning it doesn't need to waste a turn setting up. On the special side, Exeggutor has Leaf Storm, Giga Drain, SolarBeam, Psychic, Psyshock, and Hidden Power. Psyshock is a great option for hitting specially bulky Pokemon on their weaker Defense. While Attack isn't Exeggutor's best stat, it can utilize Swords Dance to attempt a sweep. However, Exeggutor's physical movepool is fairly sparse with the only viable options consisting of Seed Bomb, Nature Power (Earthquake), Return, and Wood Hammer. Exeggutor's major downfall is that its naturally low Speed and Special Defense leave it open to various specially-based (remove hyphen) Choice Scarf users such as Typhlosion and Rotom-F. Exeggutor is also weak to Pursuit, meaning Drapion can easily deal with it after switching with impunity into a Psychic-type attack.

Victreebel

Although Victreebel might not be one of the most prominent RU Pokemon, it would be foolish to underestimate it. With the sun shining, Victreebel can pull off an almost unstoppable mixed Growth set that deals with a large portion of walls and outspeeds most opposing sweepers. One of the greatest assets that Victreebel has over its numerous Chlorophyll competitors is the semi-exclusive Weather Ball. As its name suggests, this move functions best in various weathers, and in the sun it becomes a 150 Base Power Fire Fire-type move factoring in the boost to Fire-type attacks. Swords Dance is also available, so Victreebel can invest only in its Attack and hit harder. Victreebel also possesses priority in Sucker Punch, which can take down Choice Scarf holders hoping to outspeed Victreebel in the sun, as well as the ability to remove Toxic Spikes, which bother quite a few sun inducers, upon entry.

Jumpluff

Jumpluff is one of the fastest Pokemon in the game under the sun. It can take advantage of Swords Dance to hit hard. Jumpluff can hit hard with a Acrobatics that is boosted by Swords Dance, STAB, and Flying Gem. Additionally, Seed Bomb and Sleep Powder is are available to utilize STAB and disable a threat, respectively. Jumpluff doesn't even need sun to pose a threat, as its high base 110 Speed lets to it sweep regardless of weather.

Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table

Chlorophyll Pokemon | Base Speed / Max Sun Speed (neutral nature) / Max Sun Speed (positive nature)

Whimsicott* | 116 / 662 / 728
Jumpluff | 110 / 638 / 700
Sawsbuck | 95 / 578 / 634
Leafeon* | 95 / 578 / 634
Leavanny | 92 / 566 / 622
Lilligant | 90 / 558 / 612
Shiftry | 80 / 518 / 568
Victreebel | 70 / 478 / 524
Maractus | 60 / 438 / 480
Exeggutor | 55 / 418 / 458
Tropius | 51 / 402 / 441
Vileplume | 50 / 398 / 436
Bellossom | 50 / 398 / 436
Tangrowth | 50 / 398 / 436
Sunflora | 30 / 318 / 348

* Gets Chlorophyll as a Dream World ability

Speeds to Beat

Speed / Pokemon / Base Speed / EVs / Nature / Speed IV / Speed Boosts

678 / Sceptile / 120 / 252 / + / 31 / 2
519 / Galvantula / 108 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
508 / Manetric Manectric / 105 / 252 / +/ 31/ 1
492 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / +/ 31/ 1
478 / Tauros / 110 / 252 / 0 / 31/ 1
475 / Electivire and Primeape / 95 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
463 / Manetric Manectric / 105 / 252 / neutral / 31/ 1
463 / Rotom / 91 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
459 / Moltres / 90 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
450 / Hitmonlee / 87 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
448 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1
447 / Rotom-C, Rotom-S / 86 / + / 31 / 1
436 / Aggron / 40 50 / 252 / + / 31 / 2
433 / Primeape / 95 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1
427 / Accelgor / 145 / 252 / +/ 31 / 0
426 / Altaria, Braviary, Gallade, Gardevoir, Medicham / 80 / 252 / + / 31 / 1

Fire Power

Moltres

As if its Moltres's Fire Blast weren't strong enough, the sun's boost leaves Munchlax and Slowking the only Pokemon that can safely switch in into it. Slowking is 2KOed by Life Orb boosted SolarBeam. Moltres also has exceptional bulk for a Fire-type, and with Roost or Morning Sun, Moltres's Stealth Rock weakness isn't too bad. U-turn lets Moltres scout for its counter while maintaining offensive pressure, but to take get maximum mileage, Rapid Spin support is needed.

Typhlosion

Typhlosion separates itself from the pack of Fire-types with Eruption; at full health and in the sun, Eruption hits a ridiculous 337 Base Power after factoring in STAB, and Typhlosion can hit just as hard as with Fire Blast when at low HP thanks to Blaze, ensuring that it can continue to be a threat throughout the match. With access to SolarBeam and Focus Blast, Typhlosion can dispose of most Pokemon that resist Fire. Typhlosion is also tied with Entei at base 100 Speed, making it an excellent Choice Specs user as opposed to some of the other Fire-types that need the Speed from Choice Scarf to be effective. While Typhlosion sees the most success as a special sweeper, it can put together an all-out physical or mixed set with its fairly diverse physical movepool that consists of Flare Blitz, Earthquake, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Brick Break, and Wild Charge.

Charizard

With the introduction of Solar Power to Charizard's repertoire, it has become the poster child for the sheer power of sun teams. Its Fire-type attacks are boosted not only boosted by STAB and the sun, (remove comma) but also by Solar Power, which effectively gives Charizard a Choice Specs boost without using its item slot or locking it into one move. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Charizard can outrun a large portion of the RU tier and decimate any Pokemon that doesn't resist its insanely powerful Fire-type attacks. Even Pokemon that resist Fire, such as Qwilfish, are cleanly OHKOed by a Choice Scarf Fire Blast in the sun! Slowking, Lanturn, and Munchlax are demolished by SolarBeam and Focus Blast, with the former two being 2HKOed while Munchlax is cleanly 3HKOed provided Focus Blast doesn't miss. However, it is with Choice Specs that Charizard's full might is unleashed. With Choice Specs equipped, Fire Blast is normally enough to OHKO almost every Pokemon, while Slowking and Lanturn are cleanly 2HKOed, dismissing them as counters to Charizard.

Entei

Entei is already regarded as a vicious sweeper, but sun takes it to a whole new level. Physically, Entei is able to sweep by using Howl or Flame Charge, backed by its physical movepool which includes an insanely powerful Flare Blitz, priority in ExtremeSpeed, and coverage moves in Stone Edge, Bulldoze, and Iron Head. ExtremeSpeed in particular is a very useful move, allowing Entei to bypass opposing Choice Scarf users. Entei is also capable of sweeping with Calm Mind, as it has the ability to make 101 HP Substitutes, a great base 100 Speed, and the coverage it needs in Fire Blast, SolarBeam, Hidden Power, Extrasensory, and Shadow Ball. With essentially no Water-type weakness, Calm Mind Entei is even more difficult to stop in the sun.

Emboar

The new Fire-type on the block, Emboar is notable for its secondary Fighting typing which makes it neutral to Stealth Rock unlike most Fire-types. It can also use its Fighting-type STAB to break through one of sun's greatest obstacles—Munchlax. Emboar sports an excellent offensive movepool, including a very powerful STAB Flare Blitz, Superpower, Brick Break, and Wild Charge, which can be used to get past bulky Water-types. As Emboar suffers from a middling base 50 65 Speed, it can utilize Flame Charge or a Choice Scarf to compensate. Emboar makes a fine user of Choice Scarf as opposed to some of the other Fire-types due to taking neutral damage from Stealth Rock and dealing heavy damage even unboosted, but even with a Choice Scarf, Emboar is outsped by a large portion of common Choice Scarf users in the RU tier.

Magmortar

Magmortar is a very dangerous sun sweeper thanks to its incredibly diverse movepool, backed by an impressive base 125 Special Attack and a passable base 83 Speed. Options With options such as Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, and SolarBeam, Magmortar can hit almost any Pokemon super effectively. With a base 95 Attack, Magmortar arguably runs the best mixed sets of all the Fire-types (add comma) and thanks to Cross Chop, Magmortar can easily get past Munchlax.

Camerupt

Camerupt boasts excellent mixed attacking stats with base 100 Attack and 105 Special Attack. Perhaps Camerupt's biggest draw is its partial Ground typing, which means it takes neutral damage from Stealth Rock and receives STAB on Earthquake and Earth Power, meaning it can eliminate opposing Fire-types that end up being big threats to Sunny Day teams. With Stone Edge or Rock Slide alongside its Ground-type STAB, Camerupt has EdgeQuake coverage, which is useful for dispatching opposing Moltres. Camerupt also has a small but precise special movepool, consisting of Eruption, Overheat, Flamethrower, and SolarBeam. While Camerupt sits at a disappointing base 40 Speed, it can boost it using either Rock Polish or Flame Charge. Finally, with Camerupt's ability Solid Rock, it can switch into super effective attacks, especially Water-type attacks in the sun, a lot easier than most Fire-types (not necessarily saying this isn't right, but a normal Fire-type takes 1x damage from Water-type attacks, while Camerupt takes 1.5x damage; is there something I'm overlooking?).

Rapidash

While Rapidash might seem like your average Fire-type, it does have a few key attributes to make it worth considering over some of the other Fire-type powerhouses. Rapidash has access to the ability Flash Fire, which keeps the opponent from turning your sun against you and provides free switch-ins on predicted Fire-type moves (likely aimed at Grass-type teammates). Rapidash's most viable options are a physical or mixed set, thanks to a decent base 100 Attack and access to Flare Blitz, SolarBeam, and Wild Charge. Additionally, it has access to Sunny Day and 66% recovery with Morning Sun, which means it can function as a sun inducer, a sun sweeper, or both. Finally, it has a base 105 Speed, being faster than every other RU Fire-type, including Charizard and Moltres; this allows Rapidash to outspeed both and hit them with a super effective Wild Charge. Rapidash can also shut down counters to Chlorophyll sweepers using Hypnosis, though 60% accuracy isn't ideal.

Flareon

Flareon has the offensive stats to be dangerous, but lacks the movepool. With some ingenuity, Flareon can be a dangerous mixed sweeper under the sun. A Toxic Orb Facade combined with Facade Guts and a Toxic Orb is a dangerous attack that has excellent neutral coverage, (remove comma) and allows Flareon to be immune to other status afflictions. Flareon's Speed is patched up with Flame Charge (add comma) and it has a powerful STAB with Fire Blast, (remove comma) and can round out its coverage with SolarBeam or Superpower. Flash Fire can also power Flareon to new heights if it can switch into a Fire Fire-type attack (add comma) making it even more dangerous.

Sunny Day Supporters

Rapid Spin Support

Sunny Day teams have powerful Fire-types, but their potential is drained by Stealth Rock and other entry hazards, so a Rapin Spin user is a great assist to make sure that your Fire-type sweepers enter the battle with as much health as possible.

Torkoal

Torkoal is a great choice on a sun team thanks to its STAB being powered up, although its typing does compound weaknesses. Thanks to Shell Smash, Torkoal is a support supporter and a sweeper. After a boost, Torkoal will be able to muscle its way through any Ghost-type looking to spinblock. Once it has done its primary job, Torkoal can go on to punch holes in the opposing team thanks to its boosted attacks. Torkoal has a decent chance at setting up thanks to its high base Defense and moderate HP. However, Torkoal has a low Special Defense and is still relatively slow after a Shell Smash boost, and its pure Fire-typing means it will take Stealth Rock damage before it can spin.

Smergle Smeargle

Normally, a Pokemon with stats such as Smergle like Smeargle's would almost never be considered for a spot on a team, but with a virtually endless movepool, it's hard to ignore Smeargle's potential. In addition to setting up the sun, Smergle Smeargle brings a lot to the table with Spore, every type of entry hazard, dual screens, and Baton Pass in conjunction with boosting moves such as Shift Gear and Quiver Dance. Smergle's Smeargle's defensive capabilities leave a lot to be desired, so it won't be able to always perform its job. (just curious, but why is this under rapid spinners? it doesn't mention rapid spin or any way to stop the opponent from either setting up hazards or blocking them being spun away anywhere; it might be a good idea to add a stronger connection between Smeargle and Rapid Spin Support if you're going to put it here)

Sandslash

Sandslash might look odd on a Sunny Day team, but it does bring some unique assists assets to the table. Foremost, Sandslash can spin away Stealth Rock, (remove comma) so, namely, your Fire-type sweepers can easily switch in. Also, if needed, Sandslash can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. With an impressive Defense (add comma) and a handy resistance to Rock-type attacks, and other support moves like Stealth Rock, Sandslash can pull its weight. Access to Swords Dance means that Sandslash isn't a slouch offensively and aids in taking down spinblockers. A poor Special Defense and low Speed as well as common weaknesses prevent Sandslash from being awesome.

Kabutops

Kabutops certainly looks out of place on a Sunny Day team, but it certainly functions well under the sun too. Kabutops's 4x resistance to Fire-type attacks means that it can switch into opposing Fire-types with relative ease, (remove comma) and dispose of them with its Rock-type STAB. Kabutops can also Rapid Spin to keep your team as healthy as possible, (remove comma) and can sweep with Swords Dance if needed. Weak Armor and Swift Swim abilities both have their use: (change to semicolon) Weak Armor allows Kabutops to do a mini-sweep thanks to the Speed boost, and Swift Swim is handy to deal with opposing rain teams.

Drapion

Other than its Poison typing, Drapion doesn't look like much when compared to Chlorophyll sweepers other than its Poison typing, but it can greatly aid them. Drapion's main job is to take down opposing Ghost- and Psychic-types, so they don't hinder spinning or your team. Also, thanks to its typing (add comma) it can absorb the rare Toxic Spikes, and it can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. Drapion's bulk allows it to at least take one non-super effective attack and still support the team.

Natu

Natu is one of the few Pokemon with the Magic Bounce ability, which lets it reflect back almost any support attack thrown at it. Natu's main utility is to ensure that entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock, are not on the field, which then allows Fire-type sweeper sweepers to be near their full potential. Natu doesn't have much use other than that, as its bulk isn't too great even with Evolite Eviolite, but it can help with hazards, if a Rapin Rapid Spinner is too much.

Defensive Pivots

Sometimes your offensive momentum is take taken from you by an unexpected twist, and you need to regain it. Defensive pivots have the bulk to take multiple attacks and stop your opponent in their tracks, and can have other utilities such as entry hazard support.

Munchlax

Munchlax is often viewed as a bad Pokemon, and while most of those complaints judgements are true, Munchlax does bring a unique set of cards to the table. Thick Fat and the bulk boost from Eviolite allows Munchlax to take on some common threats to Sunny Day teams such as opposing Fire-types and Hail teams. Additionally, Munchlax can stay healthy with RestTalk, but though it will often not be able to pull it this off multiple times often. Body Slam can paralyze your opponent, giving you more of an advantage, and Whirlwind phazes out set-up sweepers. Don't expect too much from Munchlax (add comma) however, because then you will be disappointed.

Rhydon

Rhydon is an oft-underlooked Pokemon with good and bad attributes. Eviolite boosts Rhydon's already impressive Defenses defenses to heights greater than Steelix's Defenses, (change to semicolon) combined with a base 130 Attack (add comma) this means that Rhydon is not going to give your opponent much breathing room. If needed, Rhydon can set up Stealth Rock to wear your opponent down even more. Its common Water-type weakness is a bit patched up thanks to the sun, but it still cannot take too many strong special attacks.

Druddigon

Druddigon's pure Dragon typing gives it plenty of opportunities to switch in and cause havoc. Druddigon's support movepool largely consists of Stealth Rock, Glare, Substitute, Dragon Tail, or and Sucker Punch. Offensively Druddigon's impressive base 120 Attack combined with a largely un-resisted unresisted STAB means Druddigon can hit many offensive Pokemon hard. A lack of reliable recovery and low Speed means mean Druddigon cannot take too many boosted attacks.

Threats to Sun Teams

After seeing all the powerful sun sweepers, you might be wondering, ''What exactly is stopping Sunny Day teams from being broken in RU?'' Well, there is are a fair amount of Pokemon that give Sunny Day teams problems. The next section will introduce Sunny Day teams' greatest obstacles so that you can build your team to work around these threats. This section will also show you some good options when looking to counter opposing Sunny Day teams.

Munchlax

While it might not look the part, Munchlax is a decent special wall in RU thanks to Eviolite and Thick Fat, which lets to let it take on most special attackers in the sun. Thick Fat gives Munchlax a resistance to Fire- and Ice-type attacks, so many special attacks attackers will struggle to get past it, (remove comma) if they lack a super effective attack. Munchlax can cripple your attackers with Body Slam's paralysis rate or phaze them out with Whirlwind, (remove comma) and possibly cause extra hazard damage. Because it uses RestTalk, Munchlax doesn't mind being put to sleep by Chlorophyll sweepers. However, Munchlax's defense Defense, although boosted by Eviolite, are is still exploitable, and a low Speed and lack of reliable recovery means that strong physical attacks will often pound it down.

Moltres

A Pokemon commonly used as a weapon on Sunny Day teams, Moltres posses poses a major offensive threat to any team, but it can particularly run right through Sunny Day teams with ease if they aren't prepared for it. Moltres has a 4x resistance to Grass-type attacks (although some Chlorophyll sweepers are known to carry Hidden Power Rock to deal with Moltres) while also resisting Fire-type attacks. However, it's not Moltres's resistances that sun teams should be most concerned with, but rather its Fire Blast; Moltres uses your own sun against you by firing off an insanely powerful Fire Blast, which sun teams have severe difficultly switching into due to their offensive nature and propensity to use Grass-types. Moltres can be dealt with through a combination of Sleep Powder, Stealth Rock, and priority from users such as Shiftry with Sucker Punch and Entei with ExtremeSpeed (be wary of Substitute though, which will make Sucker Punch fail).

Entei

With decent bulk and resistances to Grass- and Fire-type attacks, Entei can not only switch into Sunny Day teams with ease but also sweep them. Entei outspeeds all the common Fire-types on sun teams and deals a can deal a significant blow with Stone Edge, while ExtremeSpeed allows Entei to hit Chlorophyll sweepers, no matter their Speed. The common Choice Band set can easily take down frail offensive sweepers with its boosted ExtremeSpeed. In addition, Entei's Substitute + Calm Mind set can be a nightmare to deal with. After a couple of boosted boosts, attacks such as Lilligant's Hidden Power Rock won't cut it. The player not only has to worry about breaking Substitutes, but also taking a huge hit in doing so. Unlike Moltres, Entei isn't worn down easily by Stealth Rock and isn't vulnerable to priority thanks to ExtremeSpeed. Your best bet is beating it down as it switches in, cripple crippling it with status, or have having a Pokemon that can take a Fire-type attack and an ExtremeSpeed.

Flareon

Just like Entei, Flareon resists Grass-type attacks, just like Entei, and is immune to Fire-type attacks thanks to Flash Fire. Unlike Entei, Flareon has access to reliable recovery in Wish to compensate for its Stealth Rock weakness and a base 110 Special Defense. With Protect, Flareon can receive its own Wishes safely and scout for troublesome attacks such as Nature Power (Earthquake) and Hidden Power Rock. Flareon can also hit Sunny Day teams deceptively hard with a STAB, sun-boosted, and possibly Flash Fire-boosted Lava Plume, which also has a chance of crippling physical attackers with burn status. Flareon is very difficult to beat one-on-one due to Protect, but it can be dealt with by keeping Stealth Rock up and hitting it with a super effective attacks as it switches into a predicted Fire-type attack.

Lickilicky

While Lickilicky may not posses any useful resistances, it can still pose a defensive threat to Sunny Day teams with its 110 / 95 / 95 defenses. Lickilicky's lack of useful resistances is somewhat compensated for by its ability Cloud Nine, which eliminates any boost to Fire-type attacks caused by the sun. Like Flareon, Lickilicky can utilize Wish + Protect to heal up and scout for threatening attacks (mention somewhere that Wish is illegal with Cloud Nine). Lickilicky can also utilize Dragon Tail to stop set-up setup sweepers; some of them can't handle Dragon Tail damage followed by Stealth Rock damage due to their frailty and weakness to hazards. Similar to Munchlax, Lickilicky can cripple foes though its STAB Body Slam, which has a handy paralysis rate. Lickilicky is bulky, but due to the its lack of resistances, it isn't too difficult to take down. If your team can hit Lickilicky hard enough, you can capitalize on it having to use Wish by nabbing a free turn to obtain a crucial boost.

Absol

Absol poses a huge threat to Sunny Day teams with an extremely powerful priority move in STAB Sucker Punch and a staggering base 130 Attack. The first step in dealing with Absol is limiting its opportunities to switch in, as Absol is quite frail. This includes refraining from using Psychic-types attacks and generally not relying on boosting moves. If Absol does manage to safely switch in, look to play around Sucker Punch as Absol has a mediocre base 75 Speed. Sucker Punch only works if Absol is being attacked, so you can capitalize on this by putting Absol to sleep with the many Chlorophyll sweepers that have access to Sleep Powder, snagging a few offensive boosts, or setting up a Substitute. There are a few sun sweepers that can handle Absol better than the rest, namely such as Choice Scarf Emboar, which resists Sucker Punch and can rip through Absol's paper-thin defenses with its Fighting-type STAB. Shiftry also resists Sucker Punch, but is too frail to take one if Absol is at +2.

Druddigon

Druddigon's pure Dragon typing gives it a multitude of resistances that allow it to easily switch into Chlorophyll and Fire-type sweepers alike. It also has support attacks that can cripple an offensive Pokemon, (remove comma) and render it useless for the rest of the match. Glare's paralysis effectively neuters any offensive Pokemon, and Dragon Tail or Roar phazes out any stat boosted boosts that might have been obtained. Sucker Punch means that it can check any Pokemon that doesn't have their its own priority or Substitute.

Slowking

Slowking is a specially defensive behemoth that can take even Grass-type attacks and live to tell the tale. Regenerator + Slack Off lets it be a problem throughout a battle, and its STAB attacks will hit Fire-types hard, (remove comma) and hit some Poison-type Chlorophyll sweepers as well. In addition, a Trick Room set can literally flip the match, as now your sweeper are "outsped" in sun.

Rain Dance Teams

Opposing weather teams are a problem, because then each weather needs their respective element to sweep. Rain Dance teams can easily handle your Fire-type sweepers in any weather; however, Chlorophyll sweepers can usually land a super effective hit on most Swift Swim Pokemon. Well-played Grass-type Pokemon are effective in talking down Swift Swim sweepers. The downside is that, (remove comma) the Speed is all dependent on which team can keep their weather up.

Hail Teams

Snover, by itself, isn't too big of a problem thanks to your Fire-types or coverage attacks on Chlorophyll sweepers, but Snow Warning automatically cancels out Sunny Day on the switch in, which means that a well-played Snover can effectively neuter a whole sun team. In exchange for sun, your Your Pokemon lose all the benefits of sun and gets get pelted by residual damage each turn instead, almost always putting you on the defensive from step one. Pummeling Snover as it switches in will limit the number of times it can switch in and change the weather.

Trick Room Teams

Although fairly rare in RU, Trick Room teams pose a major threat to standard Sunny Day teams. One of sun's greatest advantages is the Speed granted by Chlorophyll, and the Trick Room playstyle turns Speed into a liability. Trick Room teams also pack powerful attacks, which Sunny Day teams have severe trouble switching into due to their offensive nature. These teams can't be full-on countered as it is a playstyle; however, initially slow sweepers such as Emboar, Tangrowth, and Vileplume might give the player a chance to fight back. Priority is also an excellent way to combat Trick Room teams; Shiftry's Sucker Punch deals with common Trick Room Pokemon such as Slowking and Duosion, while Entei's ExtremeSpeed is also a strong form of priority. Sun inducers with Protect can stall out Trick Room turns, while those with Taunt, such as Whimsicott, can prevent Trick Room from being set up in the first place.

Building a Sunny Day Team
  1. Capitalize on the sun - This might seem like a given, but players often concern themselves too much with that fact sun only last 5-8 turns. Basically, build your team so that it capitalizes on the sun enough to give it a distinct advantage over the standard offensive team, but not so much that your team is useless outside of sun.
  2. Support - In addition to the required sun inducers, there are other forms of support that can greatly help the team. SunnyBeam users can be valuable to a Sunny Day team. Rapid Spin support is almost a must if you plan on using Moltres, Charizard, or a Fire-type with a Choice item. Torkoal, Kabutops (add comma) and Sandslash make good Rapid Spin users, also providing the team with a useful Rock-type resistance. If you really want to ensure your team is safe from hazards, a Pursuit trapper such as Drapion can be used to eliminate Ghost-types so your Rapid Spin user can spin freely. There is also the more gimmicky option of Magic Coat. Wish or Healing Wish support is useful for giving a sweeper another chance at sweeping. Flareon and Mesprit can provide Wish and Healing Wish support, respectively. Paralysis and dual screen support aids your sweepers with setting up; Natu and Uxie can provide both.
  3. Have a team that is able to pull itself together once the sun turns end - Based on the number of powerful sun sweepers and absence of auto-weather inducers, players might think that throwing together a team of 1 inducer + 5 sun abusers will lead to success. However, this is not the case. It cannot be stressed enough that sun only lasts 5-8 turns in RU. Often, this window is just too small for the player to pull off a sweep right away. (change to comma) and with a team of 5 sweepers, the player will be scrambling to regroup. Your sweepers need to have offensive synergy, which means they eliminate each other's counters, so the other can freely sweep. Also, your team should be able to handle itself outside of sun. Some ways One way you can do this include having is to have a strong priority attack on your team, such as Entei's ExtremeSpeed or Shiftry's Sucker Punch.
  4. Hazard Control - As previously stated, it's very difficult to pull off a full sweep in the 5-8 turn window you get with sun. For this reason, the player must constantly switch out to set up sun, then switch out again to get that sun to a sweeper. This, combined with most Fire-types having a weakness to Stealth Rock and the natural switching the opponent will force upon you, means hazard control is crucial. One way to control hazards is a Rapid Spin user such as Shell Smash Torkoal. However, in some cases, having to Rapid Spin can greatly slow down your team's offensive momentum. Some alternatives are a fast Pokemon with Taunt, a Pokemon with Magic Coat, or refraining from loading your team with Choice item Pokemon, forcing allowing your Pokemon to switch less often. You'll want to have hazards of your own, not only to secure more KOs but also to keep opposing Fire-types at bay as they are threats to sun teams in general.
  5. Have something that can switch into strong Fire-type attacks - This is something most Sunny Day teams struggle with. What usually happens is an opposing Moltres or Entei comes along and uses the sun against the player, ripping though the few Pokemon that resist Fire-type attacks, which are frail Fire-types. Good sun inducers that resist Fire-type attacks include Regirock and Hariyama. Flash Fire Flareon can be used as an offensive option. Having a Rock-type attack can make sure that Fire-types aren't a problem.

Sample Team

Venus Fly Trap by Texas Cloverleaf



Venus Fly Trap is a really offensive team that starts pummeling the opponent from turn one. The main goal of this team is to make sure sun is up at all times, so the team can get the maximum damage output. Uxie and Whimsicott both can set up 8 turn Sunny Day and U-turn out to Victreebel, Typholosion Typhlosion, or Emboar. Magic Coat on Uxie dissuades the use of Spore and opposing support attacks like Stealth Rock. When Uxie and Whimsicott are on their last legs, they can use Memento (add comma) is an integral part of the team because otherwise Victreebel would have a hard time setting up. Victreebel is the trump card for the team thanks to Growth, because after a Growth boost it can OHKO much of the tier, (remove comma) and easily 2KOs 2HKOes the part that isn't. Dual STAB coverage with SolarBeam and Sludge Bomb with Weather Ball rounding out the coverage (this is a fragment). Typhlosion take full advantage of sun by utilized utilizing SolarBeam to 2KO 2HKO its counters, Lanturn and Slowking. To make sure sun is up at all times, Typhlosion can also set up Sunny Day in a the clutch with Hidden Power Rock rounding out the coverage (add comma) hitting Moltres and Entei. Regirock has a very important role in that it sets up Stealth Rock to wear the opponent down and is an emergency panic button of sorts. Thanks to Regirock's immense bulk (add comma) it can take on any situation and perform to expectations. Is sun gone with Snover switching in? No worries, Regirock can take a STAB Blizzard and set up Sunny Day. Or if a dangerous sweeper has set up and sun is now gone, Regirock can explode on it to get rid of the problem. Additionally, Regirock handles Absol and Entei, two Pokemon that are a nightmare for Sunny Day teams to handle. Emboar is the backup for Venus Fly Trap. Outside of sun, Emboar can still outspeed many Pokemon thanks to Choice Scarf, (remove comma) and hit them with its range of attacks. Emboar's Fighting STAB is greatly appreciated thanks to its ability to take down Munchlax, which would otherwise prove to be problematic. Venus Fly Trap is an excellent team that showcases the highly offensive nature of Sunny Day teams, (remove comma) and how quickly they can overcome the opponent.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this guide, you gained a greater understanding of how Sunny Day teams function as well as the knowledge required to create an effective Sunny Day team in RU! Sunny Day is an incredibly offensive playstyle that can quickly flip the opponent's world in more than one way.


[gp]1/2[/gp]
 

Oglemi

Borf
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Some things before I GP this

Remove Jumpluff as a sun sweeper, AcroGem is cute but there's no reason to run it over any of the other Grass-types that carry far more power and utility (Sleep Powder is also not a reason to use it as it's not unique to it either).

Remove Camerupt and Flareon as sun sweepers too. There's zero reason to use these guys as sun sweepers over Moltres/Typhlosion/Charizard, they're just too slow and their uniqueness is completely offset by this fact. If I get a free turn at all for my sun team it's going to be used either getting a Substitute up with any of the other sun sweepers or boosting with Growth on one of my Grass-types, not setting up an RP for Camerupt.

It should be mentioned under Rapid Spin support that while it's nice to have in order to lower the weakness to Stealth Rock, particularly if you're running Charizard/Moltres, cutting off any momentum you had in order to spin usually isn't worth it. Essentially Rapid Spin support isn't a "great" option to have on a sun team. It isn't even vital as shown by Texas's RMT. Kabutops should also be the first spinner mentioned since it loses the least amount of momentum and can switch into Fire- and Ice-type attacks for the Grass-types on the team.

Munchlax should not be the first threat to sun teams listed as it is almost non-viable in RU at the moment (even though it is a major threat to sun teams). Entei is the most common and most dangerous threat to sun teams currently in RU and should be listed first.
 

Oglemi

Borf
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Overview

Sunny Day teams are usually seen as the inferior cousins to Rain Dance teams; however, this isn't true, as there are plenty of sun sweepers that can easily change your mind. Sunny Day is an extremely potent playstyle that can quickly turn the world upside down, if given the chance, with its blisteringly fast Chlorophyll sweepers or volcanic Fire-types. Unlike OU, in RU there is only one automatic weather inducer, and it cannot switch into many of a sun team's attacks. All isn't sunshine for Sunny Day teams though, as they do run into some problems. This guide will introduce you to some of the best options for a Sunny Day team, explain how you can build the best Sunny Day team possible, and provide some general tips on playing with these teams.

Effects of Sun

The following effects occur while Sunny Day is active:

The Base Power of Fire-type moves is increased by 50%.
Pokemon with the ability Chlorophyll have their Speed doubled.
The Base Power of Water-type moves is decreased by 50%.
SolarBeam's charge turn is removed.
Growth increases Attack and Special Attack by two stages instead of one.
Pokemon cannot be frozen.
Thunder and Hurricane's accuracies are reduced to 50%.
Weather Ball effectively becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type move.
Synthesis, Moonlight, and Morning Sun recover 66% of the user's HP.
Pokemon with the Solar Power ability have their Special Attack increased by 50%, but lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
Pokemon with the Leaf Guard ability become immune to status (note: the user is prevented from using the move Rest).
Pokemon with the Dry Skin ability lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.
Cherrim and Castform change formes.

The Sun Inducers

Pokemon that can set up sun are arguably the most important components of any Sunny Day team. A good sun inducer must be able to reliably set up sun any time during a battle; sun inducers should also be able to provide their team with other support, such as entry hazards, dual screens, or Rapid Spin.

Heat Rock

Uxie

Uxie is regarded as one of the go-to support Pokemon in RU thanks to its immense bulk and plethora of utility options. It has the bulk to set up sun throughout a battle while aiding a sweep with dual screens, Magic Coat, Heal Bell, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Yawn, or even U-turn. Uxie also has access to Memento, which ensures that a sweeper can set up safely at the cost of Uxie's life. However, Uxie lacks offensive presence, so it cannot do any significant damage.

Regirock

Regirock can reliably set up Sunny Day thanks to its awesome physical bulk, which is statistically the best in the game bar Eviolite users. Regirock's best attribute is its ability to check major threats to sun teams such as Entei and Choice Scarf Typhlosion. Regirock also has some nice support options in Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave. While known for its bulk, Regirock is no slouch offensively. STAB Stone Edge ruins Moltres and Entei, and Regirock can even capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Punch. Finally, Regirock can use Explosion to bring in a sweeper safely.

Mesprit

At first glance, Mesprit might look like a lesser Uxie, but it has an interesting niche with Healing Wish. Healing Wish completely restores a teammate to its peak performance, but can only be used at the cost of Mesprit's life; nevertheless, it is extremely valuable to sun sweepers, which can get rapidly worn down by Stealth Rock and Life Orb recoil. Mesprit also has access to U-turn and Stealth Rock, but using them goes against one of Mesprit's biggest advantages over Uxie: its higher offensive stats. This lets Mesprit take on an offensive role with useful attacks such as Hidden Power Fire, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt. Mesprit can keep your team's offensive momentum, as it is much more difficult to set up on than other inducers. Mesprit's mediocre Speed is actually a good thing with U-turn, because it means that Mesprit will likely take the attack, rather than your sweeper.

Whimsicott

Whimsicott is one of the few sun inducers in RU with access to Prankster, giving it priority on moves such as Sunny Day and Taunt. With Prankster, it doesn't have to worry about Speed, meaning it can fully invest in its mediocre defenses. Like Uxie, Whimsicott can utilize Memento to assist an incoming sweeper that plans to set up. In the same vein, priority Encore can be very useful for locking the opponent into an unfavorable move, allowing a sweeper to switch in and set up safely. Whimsicott usually has room for an attack, which could be allocated to STAB SolarBeam. One drawback with Whimsicott is that it will compound weaknesses due to its Grass typing, which is shared with the Chlorophyll sweepers.

Volbeat & Illumise

When it comes to reliably setting sun up, it's hard to look past Volbeat and Illumise. Much like Whimsicott, they have access to the rare Prankster ability, giving them priority on non-attacking moves, most notably Sunny Day. This means that aside from a rare priority Taunt, they are guaranteed to set up sun at least once per match. However, the two face competition as Prankster Sunny Day users from Whimsicott, which has superior Speed and moves such as Leech Seed and Memento. However, Volbeat has its own unique aspect in the form of Tail Glow and Baton Pass, which, if pulled off successfully with the sun still shining, can set up a sweeper such as Lilligant for the rest of the game. Volbeat and Illumise also have a slow U-turn that can get a sweeper in safely. Aside from the moves already listed, Volbeat and Illumise have access to Thunder Wave and Encore, which can cripple opposing setup sweepers and Choice Scarf users, aiding a Chlorophyll user's sweep. Unfortunately, Volbeat and Illumise are quite frail and fall to powerful STAB and / or super effective attacks even with maximum investment.

Hariyama

Hariyama has bulk on par with the other sun inducers, but it is able to differentiate itself with its ability and typing. One of Hariyama's abilities, Thick Fat, gives it resistances to Fire- and Ice-type attacks. This, along with Hariyama's resistance to Rock-type attacks, means Hariyama has great type synergy with sun teams, as it can sponge Ice- and Fire-type attacks aimed at Grass-type Chlorophyll sweepers, as well as Rock-type attacks aimed at Fire-type sweepers. Thanks to its base 120 Attack, Hariyama arguably provides the most offensive presence out of all the inducers, being one of few that can deal with the menace to sun teams that is Munchlax. It can spread paralysis with Force Palm and deal with troublesome Dragon-types with Ice Punch.

Altaria

One of the greatest obstacles for RU Sunny Day teams can also do an admirable job supporting them. Altaria boasts good defensive stats, typing, and support options including Perish Song, Haze, and Heal Bell. Its access to Natural Cure, coupled with reliable recovery in Roost, makes it one of the most durable sun inducers available in RU. Altaria can capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Blast to dispose of Steel-types that will likely switch into it expecting Dragon-type attacks.

Sun Sweepers

Perhaps the scariest thing about Sunny Day teams is the diversity of their attacks. Sun sweepers include both Grass-types and Fire-types, while rain teams are one-dimensional with Water-types. Grass- and Fire-types share excellent synergy; Fire-types often have trouble getting past Water- and Rock-types, which can be setup bait for your Grass-type sweepers. Moreover, your Grass-types can lure in opposing Grass- and Steel-types for your Fire-type sweepers to switch in safely and fire off a powerful attack. In this section, we take a look at some sun sweepers to consider in RU.

Grass-type Sweepers

Most Grass-types become whole new monsters under the sunlight. In addition to the versatile movepools most Chlorophyll sweepers boast, they gain doubled Speed stats and an upgraded Growth that now raises the Attack and Special Attack by two stages as opposed to one, which is equivalent to a Shell Smash but without the defensive drops. Most Grass-type sweepers also have Sleep Powder in their arsenal, making them even more difficult to stop. Although Chlorophyll is arguably the best ability to use in sun, there are other abilities such as Leaf Guard that can allow your sweeper to set up without fear of being afflicted by status.

Lilligant

Lilligant is commonly seen in the RU metagame; Quiver Dance boosts its best stats, allowing it to easily sweep through whole teams after two or more boosts. In the sun, Lilligant becomes an even greater threat than before. Thanks to the sun already boosting Lilligant's Speed, more EVs can be allocated to Lilligant's often underestimated bulk, which can turn it into a powerful, bulky setup sweeper. Sun also boosts the power of Hidden Power Fire, Lilligant's main coverage move alongside its Grass-type STAB. Sleep Powder is a common move on most sun teams thanks to their many Chlorophyll sweepers that Lilligant can also make good use of; on the other hand, Lilligant can opt for the less-used Aromatherapy to cure itself and its teammates of status effects such as paralysis and set up on most walls without fear. Lilligant can also support its teammates with Healing Wish, which can give a sweeper a second breath.

Tangrowth

While Tangrowth is one of the slowest Chlorophyll sweepers, it boasts the highest combined offensive stats of all of them, along with an impressive base 125 Defense stat. This, backed by Tangrowth's incredibly expansive offensive movepool that includes the moves Leaf Storm, Focus Blast, Power Whip, Earthquake, and Sleep Powder, makes Tangrowth quite the formidable sweeper. Tangrowth's excellent mixed attacking stats can also be bolstered by Growth. However, even with the Speed boost, Tangrowth's low base 50 Speed leaves it outsped by Choice Scarf users, like Rotom-F and Typhlosion, which can prey on Tangrowth's mediocre Special Defense.

Sawsbuck

Sawsbuck ranks amongst the fastest Chlorophyll sweepers, hitting a staggering 634 Speed with a Chlorophyll boost. Sawsbuck can rip through teams after a Swords Dance using its signature attack Horn Leech, which helps reduce the recoil from STAB Double-Edge, and Nature Power, which acts as Earthquake in simulator and Wi-Fi battles. Sawsbuck can also use Megahorn to hit the fairly common Dark- and Psychic-types that reside in RU or Jump Kick to hit Ferroseed. Sawsbuck can even avoid Sucker Punch with Nature Power ensuring it won't get taken down that way. Sawsbuck's biggest drawback is without a doubt its frailty, which sometimes makes it difficult to set up.

Shiftry

Shiftry is an absolute juggernaut under the sun, thanks to a plethora of stat boosting options that includes Growth, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Perhaps Shiftry's biggest selling point when considering it for your sun team is its STAB Sucker Punch, which, when boosted by Swords Dance or Growth, allows it to sweep outside of the sun or deal with Choice Scarf users and priority users that cause problems for sun teams. Shiftry can also use a viable special set with Nasty Plot and special attacks such as SolarBeam, Giga Drain, Dark Pulse, Focus Blast, or some variant of Hidden Power. Being able to run viable special and physical sets make Shiftry very dangerous when trying to counter it, as the opponent might switch to their physical wall expecting a Swords Dance variant, only to be met by a +2 Nasty Plot Shiftry. Despite Shiftry's average attacking stats, it can effectively run a mixed set thanks to powerful attacks such as Leaf Storm and Nature Power (Earthquake), along with priority in Sucker Punch, which enables Shiftry to take some EVs out of Speed and put them into its attacking stats. Shiftry does have its fair share of problems though; it is overwhelmingly frail and needs to set up to be able to sweep, allowing the opponent to take advantage of this by attacking Shiftry outright.

Exeggutor

Exeggutor beats even Lilligant for the highest Special Attack stat among Chlorophyll sweepers at base 125, but unfortunately, it has no way to boost it. Lacking Growth, Exeggutor faces stiff competition as a Chlorophyll sweeper in the RU tier. However, while Exeggutor lacks a boosting move, it doesn't need one to sweep thanks to its naturally high Special Attack. Exeggutor is the hardest initial hitter of all the Chlorophyll sweepers, meaning it doesn't need to waste a turn setting up. On the special side, Exeggutor has Leaf Storm, Giga Drain, SolarBeam, Psychic, Psyshock, and Hidden Power. Psyshock is a great option for hitting specially bulky Pokemon on their weaker Defense. While Attack isn't Exeggutor's best stat, it can utilize Swords Dance to attempt a sweep. However, Exeggutor's physical movepool is fairly sparse with the only viable options consisting of Seed Bomb, Nature Power (Earthquake), Return, and Wood Hammer. Exeggutor's major downfall is that its naturally low Speed and Special Defense leave it open to various specially based Choice Scarf users such as Typhlosion and Rotom-F. Exeggutor is also weak to Pursuit, meaning Drapion can easily deal with it after switching with impunity into a Psychic-type attack.

Victreebel

Although Victreebel might not be one of the most prominent RU Pokemon, it would be foolish to underestimate it. With the sun shining, Victreebel can pull off an almost unstoppable mixed Growth set that deals with a large portion of walls and outspeeds most opposing sweepers. One of the greatest assets that Victreebel has over its numerous Chlorophyll competitors is the semi-exclusive Weather Ball. As its name suggests, this move functions best in various weathers, and in the sun it becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type move factoring in the boost to Fire-type attacks. Swords Dance is also available, so Victreebel can only invest in its Attack and hit harder. Victreebel also possesses priority in Sucker Punch, which can take down Choice Scarf holders hoping to outspeed Victreebel in the sun, as well as the ability to remove Toxic Spikes, which bother quite a few sun inducers, upon entry.

Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table

Chlorophyll Pokemon | Base Speed / Max Sun Speed (neutral nature) / Max Sun Speed (positive nature)

Whimsicott* | 116 / 662 / 728
Jumpluff | 110 / 638 / 700
Sawsbuck | 95 / 578 / 634
Leafeon* | 95 / 578 / 634
Leavanny | 92 / 566 / 622
Lilligant | 90 / 558 / 612
Shiftry | 80 / 518 / 568
Victreebel | 70 / 478 / 524
Maractus | 60 / 438 / 480
Exeggutor | 55 / 418 / 458
Tropius | 51 / 402 / 441
Vileplume | 50 / 398 / 436
Bellossom | 50 / 398 / 436
Tangrowth | 50 / 398 / 436
Sunflora | 30 / 318 / 348

* Gets Chlorophyll as a Dream World ability

Speeds to Beat

Speed / Pokemon / Base Speed / EVs / Nature / Speed IV / Speed Boosts

678 / Sceptile / 120 / 252 / + / 31 / 2
519 / Galvantula / 108 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
508 / Manectric / 105 / 252 / +/ 31/ 1
492 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / +/ 31/ 1
478 / Tauros / 110 / 252 / 0 / 31/ 1
475 / Electivire and Primeape / 95 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
463 / Manectric / 105 / 252 / neutral / 31/ 1
463 / Rotom / 91 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
459 / Moltres / 90 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
450 / Hitmonlee / 87 / 252 / + / 31 / 1
448 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1
447 / Rotom-C, Rotom-S / 86 / + / 31 / 1
436 / Aggron / 50 / 252 / + / 31 / 2
433 / Primeape / 95 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1
427 / Accelgor / 145 / 252 / +/ 31 / 0
426 / Altaria, Braviary, Gallade, Gardevoir, Medicham / 80 / 252 / + / 31 / 1

Fire Power

Moltres

As if Moltres's Fire Blast wasn't strong enough, the sun's boost leaves Munchlax and Slowking the only Pokemon that can safely switch into it. Slowking is 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted SolarBeam. Moltres also has exceptional bulk for a Fire-type, and with Roost or Morning Sun, Moltres's Stealth Rock weakness isn't too bad. U-turn lets Moltres scout for its counter while maintaining offensive pressure, but to get maximum mileage, Rapid Spin support is needed.

Typhlosion

Typhlosion separates itself from the pack of Fire-types with Eruption; at full health and in the sun, Eruption hits a ridiculous 337 Base Power after factoring in STAB, and Typhlosion can hit just as hard with Fire Blast when at low HP thanks to Blaze, ensuring that it can continue to be a threat throughout the match. With access to SolarBeam and Focus Blast, Typhlosion can dispose of most Pokemon that resist Fire. Typhlosion is also tied with Entei at base 100 Speed, making it an excellent Choice Specs user as opposed to some of the other Fire-types that need the Speed from Choice Scarf to be effective. While Typhlosion sees the most success as a special sweeper, it can put together an all-out physical or mixed set with its fairly diverse physical movepool that consists of Flare Blitz, Earthquake, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Brick Break, and Wild Charge.

Charizard

With the introduction of Solar Power to Charizard's repertoire, it has become the poster child for the sheer power of sun teams. Its Fire-type attacks are boosted not only by STAB and the sun but also by Solar Power, which effectively gives Charizard a Choice Specs boost without using its item slot or locking it into one move. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Charizard can outrun a large portion of the RU tier and decimate any Pokemon that doesn't resist its insanely powerful Fire-type attacks. Even Pokemon that resist Fire, such as Qwilfish, are cleanly OHKOed by a Choice Scarf Fire Blast in the sun! Slowking, Lanturn, and Munchlax are demolished by SolarBeam and Focus Blast, with the former two being 2HKOed while Munchlax is cleanly 3HKOed provided Focus Blast doesn't miss. However, it is with Choice Specs that Charizard's full might is unleashed. With Choice Specs equipped, Fire Blast is normally enough to OHKO almost every Pokemon, while Slowking and Lanturn are cleanly 2HKOed, dismissing them as counters to Charizard.

Entei

Entei is already regarded as a vicious sweeper, but sun takes it to a whole new level. Physically, Entei is able to sweep by using Howl or Flame Charge, backed by its physical movepool which includes an insanely powerful Flare Blitz, priority in ExtremeSpeed, and coverage moves in Stone Edge, Bulldoze, and Iron Head. ExtremeSpeed in particular is a very useful move, allowing Entei to bypass opposing Choice Scarf users. Entei is also capable of sweeping with Calm Mind, as it has the ability to make 101 HP Substitutes, a great base 100 Speed, and the coverage it needs in Fire Blast, SolarBeam, Hidden Power, Extrasensory, and Shadow Ball. With essentially no Water-type weakness, Calm Mind Entei is even more difficult to stop in the sun.

Emboar

The new Fire-type on the block, Emboar is notable for its secondary Fighting typing which makes it neutral to Stealth Rock unlike most Fire-types. It can also use its Fighting-type STAB to break through one of sun's greatest obstacles—Munchlax. Emboar sports an excellent offensive movepool, including a very powerful STAB Flare Blitz, Superpower, Head Smash, and Wild Charge, which can be used to get past bulky Water-types. As Emboar suffers from a middling base 65 Speed, it can utilize Flame Charge or a Choice Scarf to compensate. Emboar makes a fine user of Choice Scarf as opposed to some of the other Fire-types due to taking neutral damage from Stealth Rock and dealing heavy damage even unboosted, but even with a Choice Scarf, Emboar is outsped by a large portion of common Choice Scarf users in the RU tier.

Magmortar

Magmortar is a very dangerous sun sweeper thanks to its incredibly diverse movepool, backed by an impressive base 125 Special Attack and a passable base 83 Speed. With options such as Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, and SolarBeam, Magmortar can hit almost any Pokemon super effectively. With a base 95 Attack, Magmortar arguably runs the best mixed sets of all the Fire-types, and thanks to Cross Chop, Magmortar can easily get past Munchlax.

Rapidash

While Rapidash might seem like your average Fire-type, it does have a few key attributes to make it worth considering over some of the other Fire-type powerhouses. Rapidash has access to the ability Flash Fire, which keeps the opponent from turning your sun against you and provides free switch-ins on predicted Fire-type moves (likely aimed at Grass-type teammates). Rapidash's most viable options are a physical or mixed set, thanks to a decent base 100 Attack and access to Flare Blitz, SolarBeam, and Wild Charge. Additionally, it has access to Sunny Day and 66% recovery with Morning Sun, which means it can function as a sun inducer, a sun sweeper, or both. Finally, it has a base 105 Speed, being faster than every other RU Fire-type, including Charizard and Moltres; this allows Rapidash to outspeed both and hit them with a super effective Wild Charge. Rapidash can also shut down counters to Chlorophyll sweepers using Hypnosis, though 60% accuracy isn't ideal.

Sunny Day Supporters

Rapid Spin Support

Sunny Day teams have powerful Fire-types, but their potential is drained by Stealth Rock and other entry hazards, so a Rapid Spin user is an OK assist to make sure that your Fire-type sweepers enter the battle with as much health as possible. The disadvantage of Rapid Spin is the loss of momentum, which could sometimes offset the particular advantages of the move, which means it isn't necessarily a vital aspect of a successful Sunny Day team.

Kabutops

Kabutops certainly looks out of place on a Sunny Day team, but it certainly functions well under the sun too. Kabutops's 4x resistance to Fire-type attacks means that it can switch into opposing Fire-types with relative ease and dispose of them with its Rock-type STAB. Kabutops can also Rapid Spin to keep your team as healthy as possible and can sweep with Swords Dance if needed. Weak Armor and Swift Swim abilities both have their use; Weak Armor allows Kabutops to do a mini-sweep thanks to the Speed boost, and Swift Swim is handy to deal with opposing rain teams.

Torkoal

Torkoal is a great choice on a sun team thanks to its STAB being powered up, although its typing does compound weaknesses. Thanks to Shell Smash, Torkoal is a supporter and a sweeper. After a boost, Torkoal will be able to muscle its way through any Ghost-type looking to spinblock. Once it has done its primary job, Torkoal can go on to punch holes in the opposing team thanks to its boosted attacks. Torkoal has a decent chance at setting up thanks to its high base Defense and moderate HP. However, Torkoal has a low Special Defense and is still relatively slow after a Shell Smash boost, and its pure Fire typing means it will take Stealth Rock damage before it can spin.

Sandslash

Sandslash might look odd on a Sunny Day team, but it does bring some unique assets to the table. Foremost, Sandslash can spin away Stealth Rock so your Fire-type sweepers can easily switch in. Also, if needed, Sandslash can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. With an impressive Defense stat, a handy resistance to Rock-type attacks, and other support moves like Stealth Rock, Sandslash can pull its weight. Access to Swords Dance means that Sandslash isn't a slouch offensively and aids in taking down spinblockers. Unfortunately, a poor Special Defense and low Speed, as well as common weaknesses, prevent Sandslash from being awesome.

Miscellaneous Support

Smeargle

Normally, a Pokemon with stats like Smeargle's would almost never be considered for a spot on a team, but with a virtually endless movepool, it's hard to ignore Smeargle's potential. In addition to setting up the sun, Smeargle brings a lot to the table with Spore, every type of entry hazard, dual screens, and Baton Pass in conjunction with boosting moves such as Shift Gear and Quiver Dance. Smeargle's defensive capabilities leave a lot to be desired, so it won't be able to always perform its job.

Drapion

Other than its Poison typing, Drapion doesn't look like much when compared to Chlorophyll sweepers, but it can greatly aid them. Drapion's main job is to take down opposing Ghost- and Psychic-types, so they don't hinder spinning or your team. Also, thanks to its typing, it can absorb the rare Toxic Spikes, and it can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. Drapion's bulk allows it to at least take one non-super effective attack and still support the team.

Natu

Natu is one of the few Pokemon with the Magic Bounce ability, which lets it reflect back almost any support attack thrown at it. Natu's main utility is to ensure that entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock, are not on the field, which then allows Fire-type sweepers to be near their full potential. Natu doesn't have much use other than that, as its bulk isn't too great even with Eviolite, but it can help with hazards, if a Rapid Spin user is too much.

Defensive Pivots

Sometimes your offensive momentum is taken from you by an unexpected twist, and you need to regain it. Defensive pivots have the bulk to take multiple attacks and stop your opponent in their tracks, and can have other utilities such as entry hazard support.

Munchlax

Munchlax is often viewed as a bad Pokemon, and while most of those judgments are true, Munchlax does bring a unique set of cards to the table. Thick Fat and the bulk boost from Eviolite allows Munchlax to take on some common threats to Sunny Day teams such as opposing Fire-types and hail teams. Additionally, Munchlax can stay healthy with RestTalk, through it will often not be able to pull this off multiple times often. Body Slam can paralyze your opponent, giving you more of an advantage, and Whirlwind phazes out set-up sweepers. Don't expect too much from Munchlax, however, because then you will be disappointed Ultimately, don't expect much from Munchlax apart from its ability to nearly always be able to switch in and re-set up the sun.

Rhydon

Rhydon is an oft-overlooked Pokemon with good and bad attributes. Eviolite boosts Rhydon's already impressive defenses to heights greater than Steelix's defenses; combined with a base 130 Attack, this means that Rhydon is not going to give your opponent much breathing room. If needed, Rhydon can set up Stealth Rock to wear your opponent down even more. Its common Water-type weakness is a bit patched up thanks to the sun, but it still cannot take too many strong special attacks.

Druddigon

Druddigon's pure Dragon typing gives it plenty of opportunities to switch in and cause havoc. Druddigon's support movepool largely consists of Stealth Rock, Glare, Substitute, Dragon Tail, and Sucker Punch. Offensively, Druddigon's impressive base 120 Attack combined with a largely unresisted STAB means Druddigon can hit many offensive Pokemon hard. Though, a lack of reliable recovery and low Speed means Druddigon cannot take too many boosted attacks.

Threats to Sun Teams

After seeing all the powerful sun sweepers, you might be wondering, ''What exactly is stopping Sunny Day teams from being broken in RU?'' Well, there are a fair amount of Pokemon that give Sunny Day teams problems. The next section will introduce Sunny Day teams' greatest obstacles so that you can build your team to work around these threats. This section will also show you some good options when looking to counter opposing Sunny Day teams.

Entei

With decent bulk and resistances to Grass- and Fire-type attacks, Entei can not only switch into Sunny Day teams with ease but also countersweep them. Entei outspeeds all the common Fire-types on sun teams and can deal a significant blow with Stone Edge, while ExtremeSpeed allows Entei to hit Chlorophyll sweepers, no matter their Speed. The common Choice Band set can easily take down frail offensive sweepers with its boosted ExtremeSpeed. In addition, Entei's Substitute + Calm Mind set can be a nightmare to deal with. After a couple of boosts, attacks such as Lilligant's Hidden Power Rock won't cut it. The player not only has to worry about breaking Substitutes, but also taking a huge hit in doing so. Unlike Moltres, Entei isn't worn down easily by Stealth Rock and isn't vulnerable to priority thanks to ExtremeSpeed. Your best bet is beating it down as it switches in, crippling it with status, or having a Pokemon that can take a Fire-type attack and an ExtremeSpeed.

Moltres

A Pokemon commonly used as a weapon on Sunny Day teams, Moltres poses a major offensive threat to any team, but it can particularly run right through Sunny Day teams with ease if they aren't prepared for it. Moltres has a 4x resistance to Grass-type attacks (although some Chlorophyll sweepers are known to carry Hidden Power Rock to deal with Moltres) while also resisting Fire-type attacks. However, it's not Moltres's resistances that sun teams should be most concerned with, but rather its Fire Blast; Moltres uses your own sun against you by firing off an insanely powerful Fire Blast, which sun teams have severe difficultly switching into due to their offensive nature and propensity to use Grass-types. Moltres can be dealt with through a combination of Sleep Powder, Stealth Rock, and priority from users such as Shiftry with Sucker Punch and Entei with ExtremeSpeed (be wary of Substitute though, which will make Sucker Punch fail). It should be noted that while Moltres's Fire Blast becomes a veritable nuke in the sun, its Hurricane becomes even more unreliable, which can be used to the sun team's advantage in certain situations.

Slowking

Slowking is a specially defensive behemoth that can take even Grass-type attacks and live to tell the tale. Regenerator + Slack Off lets it be a problem throughout a battle, and its STAB attacks will hit Fire-types hard and hit some Poison-type Chlorophyll sweepers as well. In addition, a Trick Room set can literally flip the match, as now your sweepers are "outsped" in sun.

Druddigon

Druddigon's pure Dragon typing gives it a multitude of resistances that allow it to easily switch into Chlorophyll and Fire-type sweepers alike. It also has support attacks that can cripple an offensive Pokemon and render it useless for the rest of the match. Glare's paralysis effectively neuters any offensive Pokemon, and Dragon Tail or Roar phazes out any stat boosts that might have been obtained. Sucker Punch means that it can check any Pokemon that doesn't have its own priority or Substitute.

Absol

Absol poses a huge threat to Sunny Day teams with an extremely powerful priority move in STAB Sucker Punch and a staggering base 130 Attack. The first step in dealing with Absol is limiting its opportunities to switch in, as Absol is quite frail. This includes refraining from using Psychic-types attacks and generally not relying on boosting moves. If Absol does manage to safely switch in, look to play around Sucker Punch as Absol has a mediocre base 75 Speed. Sucker Punch only works if Absol is being attacked, so you can capitalize on this by putting Absol to sleep with the many Chlorophyll sweepers that have access to Sleep Powder, snagging a few offensive boosts, or setting up a Substitute. There are a few sun sweepers that can handle Absol better than the rest, such as Choice Scarf Emboar, which resists Sucker Punch and can rip through Absol's paper-thin defenses with its Fighting-type STAB. Shiftry also resists Sucker Punch, but is too frail to take one if Absol is at +2.

Munchlax

While it might not look the part, Munchlax is a decent special wall in RU thanks to Eviolite and Thick Fat, which let it take on most special attackers in the sun. Thick Fat gives Munchlax a resistance to Fire- and Ice-type attacks, so many special attackers will struggle to get past it if they lack a super effective attack. Munchlax can cripple your attackers with Body Slam's paralysis rate or phaze them out with Whirlwind and possibly cause extra hazard damage. Because it uses RestTalk, Munchlax doesn't mind being put to sleep by Chlorophyll sweepers. However, Munchlax's Defense, although boosted by Eviolite, is still exploitable, and a low Speed and lack of reliable recovery means that strong physical attacks will often pound it down.

Flareon

Flareon resists Grass-type attacks, just like Entei, and is immune to Fire-type attacks thanks to Flash Fire. Unlike Entei, Flareon has access to reliable recovery in Wish to compensate for its Stealth Rock weakness and a base 110 Special Defense. With Protect, Flareon can receive its own Wishes safely and scout for troublesome attacks such as Nature Power (Earthquake) and Hidden Power Rock. Flareon can also hit Sunny Day teams deceptively hard with a STAB, sun-boosted, and possibly Flash Fire-boosted Lava Plume, which also has a chance of crippling physical attackers with burn status. Flareon is very difficult to beat one-on-one due to Protect, but it can be dealt with by keeping Stealth Rock up and hitting it with super effective attacks as it switches into a predicted Fire-type attack.

Lickilicky

While Lickilicky may not possess any useful resistances, it can still pose a defensive threat to Sunny Day teams with its 110 / 95 / 95 defenses. Lickilicky's lack of useful resistances is somewhat compensated for by its ability Cloud Nine, which eliminates any boost to Fire-type attacks caused by the sun. Like Flareon, Lickilicky can utilize Wish + Protect to heal up and scout for threatening attacks. Ironically, Cloud Nine is illegal with Wish, so it won't have recovery outside of Rest. Lickilicky can also utilize Dragon Tail to stop setup sweepers; some of them can't handle Dragon Tail damage followed by Stealth Rock damage due to their frailty and weakness to hazards. Similar to Munchlax, Lickilicky can cripple foes through its STAB Body Slam, which has a handy paralysis rate. Lickilicky is bulky, but due to its lack of resistances, it isn't too difficult to take down. If your team can hit Lickilicky hard enough, you can capitalize on it having to use Wish by nabbing a free turn to obtain a crucial boost.

Rain Dance Teams

Opposing weather teams are a problem, because then each weather needs their respective element to sweep. Rain Dance teams can easily handle your Fire-type sweepers in any weather; however, Chlorophyll sweepers can usually land a super effective hit on most Swift Swim Pokemon. Well-played Grass-type Pokemon are effective in talking down Swift Swim sweepers. The downside is that the Speed is all dependent on which team can keep their weather up.

Hail Teams

Snover, by itself, isn't too big of a problem thanks to your Fire-types or coverage attacks on Chlorophyll sweepers, but Snow Warning automatically cancels out Sunny Day on the switch in, which means that a well-played Snover can effectively neuter a whole sun team. Your Pokemon lose all the benefits of sun and get pelted by residual damage each turn instead, almost always putting you on the defensive from step one. Pummeling Snover as it switches in will limit the number of times it can switch in and change the weather.

Trick Room Teams

Although fairly rare in RU, Trick Room teams pose a major threat to standard Sunny Day teams. One of sun's greatest advantages is the Speed granted by Chlorophyll, and the Trick Room playstyle turns Speed into a liability. Trick Room teams also pack powerful attacks, which Sunny Day teams have severe trouble switching into due to their offensive nature. These teams can't be full-on countered as it is a playstyle; however, initially slow sweepers such as Emboar, Tangrowth, and Vileplume might give the player a chance to fight back. Priority is also an excellent way to combat Trick Room teams; Shiftry's Sucker Punch deals with common Trick Room Pokemon, such as Slowking and Duosion, while Entei's ExtremeSpeed is also a strong form of priority. Sun inducers with Protect can stall out Trick Room turns, while those with Taunt, such as Whimsicott, can prevent Trick Room from being set up in the first place.

Building a Sunny Day Team

Capitalize on the sun - This might seem like a given, but players often concern themselves too much with the fact that sun only last 5-8 turns. Basically, build your team so that it capitalizes on the sun enough to give it a distinct advantage over the standard offensive team, but not so much that your team is useless outside of sun.
Support - In addition to the required sun inducers, there are other forms of support that can greatly help the team. SunnyBeam users can be valuable to a Sunny Day team. Rapid Spin support is almost a must if you plan on using Moltres, Charizard, or a Fire-type with a Choice item. Torkoal, Kabutops, and Sandslash make good Rapid Spin users, also providing the team with a useful Rock-type resistance. If you really want to ensure your team is safe from hazards, a Pursuit trapper such as Drapion can be used to eliminate Ghost-types so your Rapid Spin user can spin freely. There is also the more gimmicky option of Magic Coat. Wish or Healing Wish support is useful for giving a sweeper another chance at sweeping. Flareon and Mesprit can provide Wish and Healing Wish support, respectively. Paralysis and dual screen support aids your sweepers with setting up; Natu and Uxie can provide both.
Have a team that is able to pull itself together once the sun turns end - Based on the number of powerful sun sweepers and absence of auto-weather inducers, players might think that throwing together a team of 1 inducer + 5 sun sweepers will lead to success. However, this is not the case. It cannot be stressed enough that sun only lasts 5-8 turns in RU. Often, this window is just too small for the player to pull off a sweep right away, and with a team of 5 sweepers, the player will be scrambling to regroup. Your sweepers need to have offensive synergy, which means they eliminate each other's counters, so the other can freely sweep. Also, your team should be able to handle itself outside of sun. One way you can do this is to have a strong priority attack on your team, such as Entei's ExtremeSpeed or Shiftry's Sucker Punch.
Hazard Control - As previously stated, it's very difficult to pull off a full sweep in the 5-8 turn window you get with sun. For this reason, the player must constantly switch out to set up sun, then switch out again to get that sun to a sweeper. This, combined with most Fire-types having a weakness to Stealth Rock and the natural switching the opponent will force upon you, means hazard control is crucial. One way to control hazards is a Rapid Spin user such as Shell Smash Torkoal. However, in some cases, having to Rapid Spin can greatly slow down your team's offensive momentum. Some alternatives are a fast Pokemon with Taunt, a Pokemon with Magic Coat, or refraining from loading your team with Choice item Pokemon, allowing your Pokemon to switch less often. You'll want to have hazards of your own, not only to secure more KOs but also to keep opposing Fire-types at bay as they are threats to sun teams in general.
Have something that can switch into strong Fire-type attacks - This is something most Sunny Day teams struggle with. What usually happens is an opposing Moltres or Entei comes along and uses the sun against the player, ripping though the few Pokemon that resist Fire-type attacks, which are frail Fire-types. Good sun inducers that resist Fire-type attacks include Regirock and Hariyama. Flash Fire Flareon can be used as an offensive option. Having a Rock-type attack can make sure that Fire-types aren't a problem.

Sample Team

Venus Fly Trap by Texas Cloverleaf

Quote: Emboar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Wild Charge
- Head Smash

Regirock @ Heat Rock
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 168 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Sunny Day
- Explosion

Whimsicott @ Heat Rock
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Sunny Day
- Memento

Typhlosion @ Heat Rock
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- SolarBeam
- Sunny Day
- Hidden Power Rock

Victreebel @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- SolarBeam
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
- Growth

Uxie @ Heat Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- U-turn
- Sunny Day
- Memento
- Magic Coat

Venus Fly Trap is a really offensive team that starts pummeling the opponent from turn one. The main goal of this team is to make sure sun is up at all times, so the team can get the maximum damage output. Uxie and Whimsicott can both set up 8 turns of Sunny Day and U-turn out to Victreebel, Typhlosion, or Emboar. Magic Coat on Uxie dissuades the use of Spore and opposing support attacks like Stealth Rock. When Uxie and Whimsicott are on their last legs, they can use Memento, an integral part of the team because otherwise Victreebel would have a hard time setting up. Victreebel is the trump card for the team thanks to Growth, because after a Growth boost it can OHKO much of the tier and easily 2HKOes the part that it doesn't. Dual STAB coverage with SolarBeam and Sludge Bomb with Weather Ball hits the tier for at least neutral damage. Typhlosion takes full advantage of sun by utilizing SolarBeam to 2HKO its counters, Lanturn and Slowking. To make sure sun is up at all times, Typhlosion can also set up Sunny Day in a pinch with Hidden Power Rock rounding out the coverage, hitting Moltres and Entei. Regirock has a very important role in that it sets up Stealth Rock to wear the opponent down and is an emergency panic button of sorts. Thanks to Regirock's immense bulk, it can take on any situation and perform to expectations. Is sun gone with Snover switching in? No worries, Regirock can take a STAB Blizzard and set up Sunny Day. Or if a dangerous sweeper has set up and sun is now gone, Regirock can Explode on it to get rid of the problem. Additionally, Regirock handles Absol and Entei, two Pokemon that are a nightmare for Sunny Day teams to handle. Emboar is the backup for Venus Fly Trap. Outside of sun, Emboar can still outspeed many Pokemon thanks to Choice Scarf and hit them with its range of attacks. Emboar's Fighting STAB is greatly appreciated thanks to its ability to take down Munchlax, which would otherwise prove to be problematic. Venus Fly Trap is an excellent team that showcases the highly offensive nature of Sunny Day teams and how quickly they can overcome the opponent.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this guide, you gained a greater understanding of how Sunny Day teams function as well as the knowledge required to create an effective Sunny Day team in RU! Sunny Day is an incredibly offensive playstyle that can quickly flip the opponent's world in more than one way.


[gp]2/2[/gp]
 

Yonko7

Guns make you stupid. Duct tape makes you smart.
is a Contributor Alumnus
Implemented the check ^^

This is ready for upload, also do I include pictures in the OP? If so, I can.
 
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Guide to RU Sunny Day Teams

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<meta name="description" content="A guide to Sunny Day teams in BW, thanks to BTzz and Endorfins" />
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<div  class="author">by <a  href="/forums/member.php?u=91007">BTzz</a> and <a  href="/forums/member.php?u=113636">Endorfins</a>. Updated by  <a href="/forums/member.php?u=127181">Yonko7</a>. Art by  <a href="/forums/member.php?u=66676">Birkal</a>.</div>

<ol class="toc">
<li><a href="#overview">Overview</a></li>
<li><a href="#effects">Effects of Sun</a></li>
<li><a href="#users">Sunny Day Users</a></li>
<li><a href="#sunsweepers">Sun Sweepers</a></li>
<li><a href="#grass-typesweepers">Grass-type Sweepers</a></li>
<li><a href="#table">Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table</a></li>
<li><a href="#speeds">Speeds to Beat</a></li>
<li><a href="#fire-typesweepers">Fire Power (Fire-type Sweepers)</a></li>
<li><a href="#supporters">Sunny Day Supporters</a></li>
<li><a href="#threats">Threats to Sunny Day Teams</a></li>
<li><a href="#building">Building a Sunny Day Team</a></li>
<li><a href="#sample">Sample Team</a></li>
<li><a href="#conclusion">Conclusion</a></li>
</ol>

<h2><a name="overview">Overview</a></h2>
<p>Sunny  Day teams are usually seen as the inferior cousins to Rain Dance teams;  however, this isn't true, as there are plenty of sun sweepers that can  easily change your mind. Sunny Day is an extremely potent playstyle that  can quickly turn the world upside down, if given the chance, with its  blisteringly fast Chlorophyll sweepers or volcanic Fire-types. Unlike  OU, in RU there is only one automatic weather inducer, and it cannot  switch into many of a sun team's attacks. This guide will introduce you  to some of the best options for a Sunny Day team, explain how you can  build the best Sunny Day team possible, and provide some general tips on  playing with these teams.</p>

<img src="/media/upload/bw/articles/uxie_ru_sun.png" class="right" alt="" width="400" />
<h2><a name="effects">Effects of Sun</a></h2>
<p>The following effects occur while Sunny Day is active:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Base Power of Fire-type moves is increased by 50%.</li>
<li>Pokemon with the ability Chlorophyll have their Speed doubled.</li>
<li>The Base Power of Water-type moves is decreased by 50%.</li>
<li>SolarBeam's charge turn is removed.</li>
<li>Growth increases Attack and Special Attack by two stages instead of one.</li>
<li>Pokemon cannot be frozen.</li>
<li>Thunder and Hurricane's accuracies are reduced to 50%.</li>
<li>Weather Ball effectively becomes a 150 Base Power Fire-type move.</li>
<li>Synthesis, Moonlight, and Morning Sun recover 66% of the user's HP.</li>
<li>Pokemon  with the Solar Power ability have their Special Attack increased by 50%  but lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.</li>
<li>Pokemon  with the Leaf Guard ability become immune to status (note: the user is  prevented from using the move Rest).</li>
<li>Pokemon with the Dry Skin ability lose 12.5% of their maximum HP per turn.</li>
<li>Cherrim and Castform change formes.</li>
</ul>

<h2><a name="users">The Sun Inducers</a></h2>
<p>Pokemon  that can set up sun are arguably the most important components of any  Sunny Day team. A good sun inducer must be able to reliably set up sun  any time during a battle; sun inducers should also be able to provide  their team with other support, such as entry hazards, dual screens, or  Rapid Spin.</p>

<dl>
<dt><a href="/bw/items/heat_rock"><strong>Heat Rock</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Heat  Rock increases the duration of Sunny Day from 5 turns to 8, making the  setup more worthwhile; sweeping under the sun also becomes a lot easier.  It should be noted that using Heat Rock means your Pokemon has to forgo  a useful item such as Leftovers or Eviolite. Basically, what it boils  down to is that Heat Rock gives you the extended sun for a sweep, while  Leftovers gives your inducer the durability to set up Sunny Day multiple  times in one battle.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/485.png" alt="Uxie" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/uxie"><strong>Uxie</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Uxie  is regarded as one of the go-to support Pokemon in RU thanks to its  immense bulk and plethora of utility options. It has the bulk to set up  sun throughout a battle while aiding a sweep with dual screens, Magic  Coat, Heal Bell, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Yawn, or even U-turn. Uxie  also has access to Memento, which ensures that a sweeper can set up  safely at the cost of Uxie's life. However, Uxie lacks offensive  presence, so it cannot do any significant damage.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/377.png" alt="Regirock" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/regirock"><strong>Regirock</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Regirock  can reliably set up Sunny Day thanks to its awesome physical bulk,  which is statistically the best in the game bar Eviolite users.  Regirock's best attribute is its ability to check major threats to sun  teams such as Entei and Choice Scarf Typhlosion. Regirock also has some  nice support options in Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave. While known for  its bulk, Regirock is no slouch offensively. STAB Stone Edge ruins  Moltres and Entei, and Regirock can even capitalize on sun with a  boosted Fire Punch. Finally, Regirock can use Explosion to bring in a  sweeper safely.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/486.png" alt="Mesprit" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/mesprit"><strong>Mesprit</strong></a></dt>
<dd>At  first glance, Mesprit might look like a lesser Uxie, but it has an  interesting niche with Healing Wish. Healing Wish completely restores a  teammate to its peak performance, but can only be used at the cost of  Mesprit's life; nevertheless, it is extremely valuable to sun sweepers,  which can get rapidly worn down by Stealth Rock and Life Orb recoil.  Mesprit also has access to U-turn and Stealth Rock, but using them goes  against one of Mesprit's biggest advantages over Uxie: its higher  offensive stats. This lets Mesprit take on an offensive role with useful  attacks such as Hidden Power Fire, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt. Mesprit  can keep your team's offensive momentum, as it is much more difficult to  set up on than other inducers. Mesprit's mediocre Speed is actually a  good thing with U-turn, because it means that Mesprit will likely take  the attack, rather than your sweeper.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/575.png" alt="Whimsicott" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/whimsicott"><strong>Whimsicott</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Whimsicott  is one of the few sun inducers in RU with access to Prankster, giving  it priority on moves such as Sunny Day and Taunt. With Prankster, it  doesn't have to worry about Speed, meaning it can fully invest in its  mediocre defenses. Like Uxie, Whimsicott can utilize Memento to assist  an incoming sweeper that plans to set up. In the same vein, priority  Encore can be very useful for locking the opponent into an unfavorable  move, allowing a sweeper to switch in and set up safely. Whimsicott  usually has room for an attack, which could be allocated to STAB  SolarBeam. One drawback with Whimsicott is that it will compound  weaknesses due to its Grass typing, which is shared with the Chlorophyll  sweepers.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/313.png" alt="Volbeat" /><img src="/download/sprites/bw/314.png" alt="Illumise" />
<dt><a   href="/bw/pokemon/volbeat"><strong>Volbeat</strong></a>  & <a  href="/bw/pokemon/illumise"><strong>Illumise</strong></a></dt>
<dd>When  it comes to reliably setting sun up, it's hard to look past Volbeat and  Illumise. Much like Whimsicott, they have access to the rare Prankster  ability, giving them priority on non-attacking moves, most notably Sunny  Day. This means that aside from a rare priority Taunt, they are  guaranteed to set up sun at least once per match. However, the two face  competition as Prankster Sunny Day users from Whimsicott, which has  superior Speed and moves such as Leech Seed and Memento. However,  Volbeat has its own unique aspect in the form of Tail Glow and Baton  Pass, which, if pulled off successfully with the sun still shining, can  set up a sweeper such as Lilligant for the rest of the game. Volbeat and  Illumise also have a slow U-turn that can get a sweeper in safely.  Aside from the moves already listed, Volbeat and Illumise have access to  Thunder Wave and Encore, which can cripple opposing setup sweepers and  Choice Scarf users, aiding a Chlorophyll user's sweep. Unfortunately,  Volbeat and Illumise are quite frail and fall to powerful STAB and / or  super effective attacks even with maximum investment.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/297.png" alt="Hariyama" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/hariyama"><strong>Hariyama</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Hariyama  has bulk on par with the other sun inducers, but it is able to  differentiate itself with its ability and typing. One of Hariyama's  abilities, Thick Fat, gives it resistances to Fire- and Ice-type  attacks. This, along with Hariyama's resistance to Rock-type attacks,  means Hariyama has great type synergy with sun teams, as it can sponge  Ice- and Fire-type attacks aimed at Grass-type Chlorophyll sweepers, as  well as Rock-type attacks aimed at Fire-type sweepers. Thanks to its  base 120 Attack, Hariyama arguably provides the most offensive presence  out of all the inducers, being one of few that can deal with the menace  to sun teams that is Munchlax. It can spread paralysis with Force Palm  and deal with troublesome Dragon-types with Ice Punch.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/334.png" alt="Altaria" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/altaria"><strong>Altaria</strong></a></dt>
<dd>One  of the greatest obstacles for RU Sunny Day teams can also do an  admirable job supporting them. Altaria boasts good defensive stats,  typing, and support options including Perish Song, Haze, and Heal Bell.  Its access to Natural Cure, coupled with reliable recovery in Roost,  makes it one of the most durable sun inducers available in RU. Altaria  can capitalize on sun with a boosted Fire Blast to of dispose  Steel-types that will likely switch into it expecting Dragon-type  attacks.</dd>
</dl>

<h2><a name="sweepers">Sun Sweepers</a></h2>
<p>Perhaps  the scariest thing about Sunny Day teams is the diversity of their  attacks. Sun sweepers include both Grass-types and Fire-types, while  rain teams are one-dimensional with Water-types. Grass- and Fire-types  share excellent synergy; Fire-types often have trouble getting past  Water- and Rock-types, which can be setup bait for your Grass-type  sweepers. Moreover, your Grass-types can lure in opposing Grass- and  Steel-types for your Fire-type sweepers to switch in safely and fire off  a powerful attack. In this section, we take a look at some sun sweepers  to consider in RU.</p>

<h2><a name="grass-typesweepers">Grass-type Sweepers</a></h2>
<p>Most  Grass-types become whole new monsters under the sunlight. In addition  to the versatile movepools most Chlorophyll sweepers boast, they gain  doubled Speed stats and an upgraded Growth that now raises the Attack  and Special Attack by two stages as opposed to one, which is equivalent  to a Shell Smash but without the defensive drops. Most Grass-type  sweepers also have Sleep Powder in their arsenal, making them even more  difficult to stop. Although Chlorophyll is arguably the best ability to  use in sun, there are other abilities such as Leaf Guard that can allow  your sweeper to set up without fear of being afflicted by  status.</p>

<dl>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/577.png" alt="Lilligant" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/lilligant"><strong>Lilligant</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Lilligant  is commonly seen in the RU metagame; Quiver Dance boosts its best  stats, allowing it to easily sweep through whole teams after two or more  boosts. In the sun, Lilligant becomes an even greater threat than  before. Thanks to the sun already boosting Lilligant's Speed, more EVs  can be allocated to Lilligant's often underestimated bulk, which can  turn it into a powerful, bulky setup sweeper. Sun also boosts the power  of Hidden Power Fire, Lilligant's main coverage move alongside its  Grass-type STAB. Sleep Powder is a common move on most sun teams thanks  to their many Chlorophyll sweepers that Lilligant can also make good use  of; on the other hand, Lilligant can opt for the less-used Aromatherapy  to cure itself and its teammates of status effects such as paralysis  and set up on most walls without fear. Lilligant can also support its  teammates with Healing Wish, which can give a sweeper a second  breath.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/470.png" alt="Tangrowth" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/tangrowth"><strong>Tangrowth</strong></a></dt>
<dd>While  Tangrowth is one of the slowest Chlorophyll sweepers, it boasts the  highest combined offensive stats of all of them, along with an  impressive base 125 Defense stat. This, backed by Tangrowth's incredibly  expansive offensive movepool that includes the moves Leaf Storm, Focus  Blast, Power Whip, Earthquake, and Sleep Powder, makes Tangrowth quite  the formidable sweeper. Tangrowth's excellent mixed attacking stats can  also be bolstered by Growth. However, even with the Speed boost,  Tangrowth's low base 50 Speed leaves it outsped by Choice Scarf users,  like Rotom-F and Typhlosion, which can prey on Tangrowth's mediocre  Special Defense.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/616.png" alt="Sawsbuck" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/sawsbuck"><strong>Sawsbuck</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Sawsbuck  ranks amongst the fastest Chlorophyll sweepers, hitting a staggering  634 Speed with a Chlorophyll boost. Sawsbuck can rip through teams after  a Swords Dance using its signature attack Horn Leech, which helps  reduce the recoil from STAB Double-Edge, and Nature Power, which acts as  Earthquake in simulator and Wi-Fi battles. Sawsbuck can also use  Megahorn to hit the fairly common Dark- and Psychic-types that reside in  RU or Jump Kick to hit Ferroseed. Sawsbuck can even avoid Sucker Punch  with Nature Power ensuring it won't get taken down that way. Sawsbuck's  biggest drawback is without a doubt its frailty, which sometimes makes  it difficult to set up.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/275.png" alt="Shiftry" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/shiftry"><strong>Shiftry</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Shiftry  is an absolute juggernaut under the sun, thanks to a plethora of stat  boosting options that includes Growth, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance.  Perhaps Shiftry's biggest selling point when considering it for your sun  team is its STAB Sucker Punch, which, when boosted by Swords Dance or  Growth, allows it to sweep outside of the sun or deal with Choice Scarf  users and priority users that cause problems for sun teams. Shiftry can  also use a viable special set with Nasty Plot and special attacks such  as SolarBeam, Giga Drain, Dark Pulse, Focus Blast, or some variant of  Hidden Power. Being able to run viable special and physical sets make  Shiftry very dangerous when trying to counter it, as the opponent might  switch to their physical wall expecting a Swords Dance variant, only to  be met by a +2 Nasty Plot Shiftry. Despite Shiftry's average attacking  stats, it can effectively run a mixed set thanks to powerful attacks  such as Leaf Storm and Nature Power (Earthquake), along with priority in  Sucker Punch, which enables Shiftry to take some EVs out of Speed and  put them into its attacking stats. Shiftry does have its fair share of  problems though; it is overwhelmingly frail and needs to set up to be  able to sweep, allowing the opponent to take advantage of this by  attacking Shiftry outright.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/103.png" alt="Exeggutor" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/exeggutor"><strong>Exeggutor</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Exeggutor  beats even Lilligant for the highest Special Attack stat among  Chlorophyll sweepers at base 125, but unfortunately, it has no way to  boost it. Lacking Growth, Exeggutor faces stiff competition as a  Chlorophyll sweeper in the RU tier. However, while Exeggutor lacks a  boosting move, it doesn't need one to sweep thanks to its naturally high  Special Attack. Exeggutor is the hardest initial hitter of all the  Chlorophyll sweepers, meaning it doesn't need to waste a turn setting  up. On the special side, Exeggutor has Leaf Storm, Giga Drain,  SolarBeam, Psychic, Psyshock, and Hidden Power. Psyshock is a great  option for hitting specially bulky Pokemon on their weaker Defense.  While Attack isn't Exeggutor's best stat, it can utilize Swords Dance to  attempt a sweep. However, Exeggutor's physical movepool is fairly  sparse with the only viable options consisting of Seed Bomb, Nature  Power (Earthquake), Return, and Wood Hammer. Exeggutor's major downfall  is that its naturally low Speed and Special Defense leave it open to  various specially based Choice Scarf users such as Typhlosion and  Rotom-F. Exeggutor is also weak to Pursuit, meaning Drapion can easily  deal with it after switching with impunity into a Psychic-type  attack.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/71.png" alt="Victreebel" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/victreebel"><strong>Victreebel</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Although  Victreebel might not be one of the most prominent RU Pokemon, it would  be foolish to underestimate it. With the sun shining, Victreebel can  pull off an almost unstoppable mixed Growth set that deals with a large  portion of walls and outspeeds most opposing sweepers. One of the  greatest assets that Victreebel has over its numerous Chlorophyll  competitors is the semi-exclusive Weather Ball. As its name suggests,  this move functions best in various weathers, and in the sun it becomes a  150 Base Power Fire-type move factoring in the boost to Fire-type  attacks. Swords Dance is also available, so Victreebel can only invest  only in its Attack and hit harder. Victreebel also possesses priority in  Sucker Punch, which can take down Choice Scarf holders hoping to  outspeed Victreebel in the sun, as well as the ability to remove Toxic  Spikes, which bother quite a few sun inducers, upon entry.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/475.png" alt="Leafeon" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/leafeon"><strong>Leafeon</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Leafeon  received Chlorophyll as its Dream World ability and can certainly  capitalize on it with its nice base 95 Speed and 110 Attack. Leafeon is  best described as a hybrid between Tangrowth and Sawsbuck; it's similar  to Tangrowth with its base 130 Defense (which is actually 5 points  higher than Tangrowth's) and Sawsbuck with its access to Swords Dance.  With Leafeon's bulk, it finds it much easier to obtain multiple boosts,  unlike Sawsbuck. What is stopping Leafeon from being the most prominent  Chlorophyll sweeper is its absolutely barren physical movepool, in which  the only viable options consist of Leaf Blade, X-Scissor, and Return,  leaving it completely walled by Steel-types unless it resorts to the  gimmicky Dig. With such a poor physical movepool, Leafeon does have room  for a move that supports the team, such as Heal Bell or Wish, and can  use Synthesis to prolong its sweep.</dd>
</dl>

<h2><a name="table">Chlorophyll Pokemon Speed Table</a></h2>
<table class="sortable">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Chlorophyll Pokemon</th>
<th>Base Speed / Max Sun Speed (neutral nature) / Max Sun Speed (positive nature)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Whimsicott*</td>
<td>116 / 662 / 728</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Jumpluff</td>
<td>110 / 638 / 700</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sawsbuck</td>
<td>95 / 578 / 634</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Leafeon*</td>
<td>95 / 578 / 634</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Leavanny</td>
<td>92 / 566 / 622</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Lilligant</td>
<td>90 / 558 / 612</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shiftry</td>
<td>80 / 518 / 568</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Victreebel</td>
<td>70 / 478 / 524</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maractus</td>
<td>60 / 438 / 480</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Exeggutor</td>
<td>55 / 418 / 458</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tropius</td>
<td>51 / 402 / 441</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Vileplume</td>
<td>50 / 398 / 436</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bellossom</td>
<td>50 / 398 / 436</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Tangrowth</td>
<td>50 / 398 / 436</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sunflora</td>
<td>30 / 318 / 348</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>* Gets Chlorophyll as a Dream World ability</p>

<h2><a name="speeds">Speeds to Beat</a></h2>
<table class="sortable">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Speed / Pokemon / Base Speed / EVs / Nature / Speed IV / Speed Boosts</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>678 / Sceptile / 120 / 252 / + / 31 / 2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>519 / Galvantula / 108 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>508 / Manectric / 105 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>492 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>478 / Tauros / 110 / 252 / 0 / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>475 / Electivire and Primeape / 95 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>463 / Manectric / 105 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>463 / Rotom / 91 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>459 / Moltres / 90 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>450 / Hitmonlee / 87 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>448 / Typhlosion / 100 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>447 / Rotom-C, Rotom-S / 86 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>436 / Aggron / 40 / 252 / + / 31 / 2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>433 / Primeape / 95 / 252 / neutral / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>427 / Accelgor / 145 / 252 / + / 31 / 0</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>426 / Altaria, Braviary, Gallade, Gardevoir, Medicham / 80 / 252 / + / 31 / 1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2><a name="fire-typesweepers">Fire Power (Fire-type Sweepers)</a></h2>
<p>Fire-types  are synonymous with power, and RU's Fire-types are certainly no  exception. When the sunlight is strong, the power of Fire-type attacks  is increased by 50%, essentially giving Fire-types "double STAB," making  several of them almost impossible to switch into.</p>

<dl>
<img src="/download/sprites/bw/146.png" alt="Moltres" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/moltres"><strong>Moltres</strong></a></dt>
<dd>As  if Moltres's Fire Blast wasn't strong enough, the sun's boost leaves  Munchlax and Slowking the only Pokemon that can safely switch into it.  Slowking is 2HKOed by Life Orb-boosted SolarBeam. Moltres also has  exceptional bulk for a Fire-type, and with Roost or Morning Sun,  Moltres's Stealth Rock weakness isn't too bad. U-turn lets Moltres scout  for its counter while maintaining offensive pressure, but to get  maximum mileage, Rapid Spin support is needed.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/157.png" alt="Typhlosion" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/typhlosion"><strong>Typhlosion</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Typhlosion  separates itself from the pack of Fire-types with Eruption; at full  health and in the sun, Eruption hits a ridiculous 337 Base Power after  factoring in STAB, and Typhlosion can hit just as hard with Fire Blast  when at low HP thanks to Blaze, ensuring that it can continue to be a  threat throughout the match. With access to SolarBeam and Focus Blast,  Typhlosion can dispose of most Pokemon that resist Fire. Typhlosion is  also tied with Entei at base 100 Speed, making it an excellent Choice  Specs user as opposed to some of the other Fire-types that need the  Speed from Choice Scarf to be effective.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/6.png" alt="Charizard" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/charizard"><strong>Charizard</strong></a></dt>
<dd>With  the introduction of Solar Power to Charizard's repertoire, it has  become the poster child for the sheer power of sun teams. Its Fire-type  attacks are boosted not only by STAB and the sun but also by Solar  Power, which effectively gives Charizard a Choice Specs boost without  using its item slot or locking it into one move. With a Choice Scarf  equipped, Charizard can outrun a large portion of the RU tier and  decimate any Pokemon that doesn't resist its insanely powerful Fire-type  attacks. Even Pokemon that resist Fire, such as Qwilfish, are cleanly  OHKOed by a Choice Scarf Fire Blast in the sun! Slowking, Lanturn, and  Munchlax are demolished by SolarBeam and Focus Blast, with the former  two being 2HKOed while Munchlax is cleanly 3HKOed provided Focus Blast  doesn't miss. However, it is with Choice Specs that Charizard's full  might is unleashed. With Choice Specs equipped, Fire Blast is normally  enough to OHKO almost every Pokemon, while Slowking and Lanturn are  cleanly 2HKOed, dismissing them as counters to Charizard.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/244.png" alt="Entei" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/entei"><strong>Entei</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Entei  is already regarded as a vicious sweeper, but sun takes it to a whole  new level. Physically, Entei is able to sweep by using Howl or Flame  Charge, backed by its physical movepool which includes an insanely  powerful Flare Blitz, priority in ExtremeSpeed, and coverage moves in  Stone Edge, Bulldoze, and Iron Head. ExtremeSpeed in particular is a  very useful move, allowing Entei to bypass opposing Choice Scarf users.  Entei is also capable of sweeping with Calm Mind, as it has the ability  to make 101 HP Substitutes, a great base 100 Speed, and the coverage it  needs in Fire Blast, SolarBeam, Hidden Power, Extrasensory, and Shadow  Ball. With essentially no Water-type weakness, Calm Mind Entei is even  more difficult to stop in the sun.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/528.png" alt="Emboar" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/emboar"><strong>Emboar</strong></a></dt>
<dd>The  new Fire-type on the block, Emboar is notable for its secondary  Fighting typing which makes it neutral to Stealth Rock unlike most  Fire-types. It can also use its Fighting-type STAB to break through one  of sun's greatest obstacles—Munchlax. Emboar sports an excellent  offensive movepool, including a very powerful STAB Flare Blitz,  Superpower, Head Smash, and Wild Charge, which can be used to get past  bulky Water-types. As Emboar suffers from a middling base 65 Speed, it  can utilize Flame Charge or a Choice Scarf to compensate. Emboar makes a  fine user of Choice Scarf as opposed to some of the other Fire-types  due to taking neutral damage from Stealth Rock and dealing heavy damage  even unboosted, but even with a Choice Scarf, Emboar is outsped by a  large portion of common Choice Scarf users in the RU tier.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/472.png" alt="Magmortar" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/magmortar"><strong>Magmortar</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Magmortar  is a very dangerous sun sweeper thanks to its incredibly diverse  movepool, backed by an impressive base 125 Special Attack and a passable  base 83 Speed. With options such as Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, and  SolarBeam, Magmortar can hit almost any Pokemon super effectively. With a  base 95 Attack, Magmortar arguably runs the best mixed sets of all the  Fire-types, and thanks to Cross Chop, Magmortar can easily get past  Munchlax.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/78.png" alt="Rapidash" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/rapidash"><strong>Rapidash</strong></a></dt>
<dd>While  Rapidash might seem like your average Fire-type, it does have a few key  attributes to make it worth considering over some of the other  Fire-type powerhouses. Rapidash has access to the ability Flash Fire,  which keeps the opponent from turning your sun against you and provides  free switch-ins on predicted Fire-type moves (likely aimed at Grass-type  teammates). Rapidash's most viable options are a physical or mixed set,  thanks to a decent base 100 Attack and access to Flare Blitz,  SolarBeam, and Wild Charge. Additionally, it has access to Sunny Day and  66% recovery with Morning Sun, which means it can function as a sun  inducer, a sun sweeper, or both. Finally, it has a base 105 Speed, being  faster than every other RU Fire-type, including Charizard and Moltres;  this allows Rapidash to outspeed both and hit them with a super  effective Wild Charge. Rapidash can also shut down counters to  Chlorophyll sweepers using Hypnosis, though 60% accuracy isn't  ideal.</dd>
</dl>

<h2><a name="supporters">Sunny Day Supporters</a></h2>
<p></p>

<h3>Rapid Spin Support</h3>

<p>Sunny  Day teams have powerful Fire-types, but their potential is drained by  Stealth Rock and other entry hazards, so a Rapid Spin user is an ok  great assist to make sure that your Fire-type sweepers enter the battle  with as much health as possible. The disadvantage of Rapid Spin is the  loss of momentum, which could sometimes offset the particular advantages  of the move, which means it isn't necessarily a vital aspect of a  successful Sunny Day team.</p>

<dl>
<img src="/download/sprites/bw/141.png" alt="Kabutops" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/kabutops"><strong>Kabutops</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Kabutops  certainly looks out of place on a Sunny Day team, but it functions well  under the sun too. Kabutops's 4x resistance to Fire-type attacks means  that it can switch into opposing Fire-types with relative ease and  dispose of them with its Rock-type STAB. Kabutops can also Rapid Spin to  keep your team as healthy as possible and can sweep with Swords Dance  if needed. Weak Armor and Swift Swim abilities both have their use; Weak  Armor allows Kabutops to do a mini-sweep thanks to the Speed boost, and  Swift Swim is handy to deal with opposing rain teams.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/324.png" alt="Torkoal" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/torkoal"><strong>Torkoal</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Torkoal  is a great choice on a sun team thanks to its STAB being powered up,  although its typing does compound weaknesses. Thanks to Shell Smash,  Torkoal is a supporter and a sweeper. After a boost, Torkoal will be  able to muscle its way through any Ghost-type looking to spinblock. Once  it has done its primary job, Torkoal can go on to punch holes in the  opposing team thanks to its boosted attacks. Torkoal has a decent chance  at setting up thanks to its high base Defense and moderate HP. However,  Torkoal has a low Special Defense and is still relatively slow after a  Shell Smash boost, and its pure Fire typing means it will take Stealth  Rock damage before it can spin.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/28.png" alt="Sandslash" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/sandslash"><strong>Sandslash</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Sandslash  might look odd on a Sunny Day team, but it does bring some unique  assets to the table. Foremost, Sandslash can spin away Stealth Rock so  your Fire-type sweepers can easily switch in. Also, if needed, Sandslash  can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. With an impressive Defense stat, a  handy resistance to Rock-type attacks, and other support moves like  Stealth Rock, Sandslash can pull its weight. Access to Swords Dance  means that Sandslash isn't a slouch offensively and aids in taking down  spinblockers. Unfortunately, a poor Special Defense and low Speed, as  well as common weaknesses, prevent Sandslash from being  awesome.</dd>
</dl>

<h3>Miscellaneous Support</h3>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/235.png" alt="Smeargle" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/smeargle"><strong>Smeargle</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Normally,  a Pokemon with stats like Smeargle's would almost never be considered  for a spot on a team, but with a virtually endless movepool, it's hard  to ignore Smeargle's potential. In addition to setting up the sun,  Smeargle brings a lot to the table with Spore, every type of entry  hazard, dual screens, and Baton Pass in conjunction with boosting moves  such as Shift Gear and Quiver Dance. Smeargle's defensive capabilities  leave a lot to be desired, so it won't be able to always perform its  job.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/457.png" alt="Drapion" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/drapion"><strong>Drapion</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Other  than its Poison typing, Drapion doesn't look like much when compared to  Chlorophyll sweepers, but it can greatly aid them. Drapion's main job  is to take down opposing Ghost- and Psychic-types, so they don't hinder  spinning or your team. Also, thanks to its typing, it can absorb the  rare Toxic Spikes, and it can set up Sunny Day in a pinch. Drapion's  bulk allows it to at least take one non-super effective attack and still  support the team.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/177.png" alt="Natu" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/natu"><strong>Natu</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Natu  is one of the few Pokemon with the Magic Bounce ability, which lets it  reflect back almost any support attack thrown at it. Natu's main utility  is to ensure that entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock, are not on the  field, which then allows Fire-type sweepers to be near their full  potential. Natu doesn't have much use other than that, as its bulk isn't  too great even with Eviolite, but it can help with hazards, if a Rapid  Spin user is too much.</dd>
</dl>

<h3>Defensive Pivots</h3>

<p>Sometimes  your offensive momentum is taken from you by an unexpected twist, and  you need to regain it. Defensive pivots have the bulk to take multiple  attacks and stop your opponent in their tracks, and can have other  utilities such as entry hazard support.</p>

<dl>
<img src="/download/sprites/bw/451.png" alt="Munchlax" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/munchlax"><strong>Munchlax</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Munchlax  is often viewed as a bad Pokemon, and while most of those judgments are  true, Munchlax does bring a unique set of cards to the table. Thick Fat  and the bulk boost from Eviolite allows Munchlax to take on some common  threats to Sunny Day teams such as opposing Fire-types and hail teams.  Additionally, Munchlax can stay healthy with RestTalk, although it will  often not be able to pull this off multiple times. Body Slam can  paralyze your opponent, giving you more of an advantage, and Whirlwind  phazes out set-up sweepers. Ultimately, don't expect much from Munchlax  apart from its ability to nearly always be able to switch in and re-set  up the sun.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/112.png" alt="Rhydon" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/rhydon"><strong>Rhydon</strong></a></dt> 
<dd>Rhydon  is an oft-overlooked Pokemon with good and bad attributes. Eviolite  boosts Rhydon's already impressive defenses to heights greater than  Steelix's defenses; combined with a base 130 Attack, this means that  Rhydon is not going to give your opponent much breathing room. If  needed, Rhydon can set up Stealth Rock to wear your opponent down even  more. Its common Water-type weakness is patched up a bit thanks to the  sun, but it still cannot take too many strong special  attacks.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/651.png" alt="Druddigon" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/druddigon"><strong>Druddigon</strong></a></dt> 
<dd>Druddigon's  pure Dragon typing gives it plenty of opportunities to switch in and  cause havoc. Druddigon's support movepool largely consists of Stealth  Rock, Glare, Substitute, Dragon Tail, and Sucker Punch. Offensively,  Druddigon's impressive base 120 Attack combined with a largely  unresisted STAB means Druddigon can hit many offensive Pokemon hard.  Although, a lack of reliable recovery and low Speed means Druddigon  cannot take too many boosted attacks.</dd>

<h2><a name="threats">Threats to Sun Teams</a></h2>
<p>After  seeing all the powerful sun sweepers, you might be wondering, ''What  exactly is stopping Sunny Day teams from being broken in RU?'' Well,  there are a fair amount of Pokemon that give Sunny Day teams problems.  The next section will introduce Sunny Day teams' greatest obstacles so  that you can build your team to work around these threats. This section  will also show you some good options when looking to counter opposing  Sunny Day teams.</p>

<dl>
<img src="/download/sprites/bw/244.png" alt="Entei" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/entei"><strong>Entei</strong></a></dt>
<dd>With  decent bulk and resistances to Grass- and Fire-type attacks, Entei can  not only switch into Sunny Day teams with ease but also countersweep  them. Entei outspeeds all the common Fire-types on sun teams and can  deal a significant blow with Stone Edge, while ExtremeSpeed allows Entei  to hit Chlorophyll sweepers, no matter their Speed. The common Choice  Band set can easily take down frail offensive sweepers with its boosted  ExtremeSpeed. In addition, Entei's Substitute + Calm Mind set can be a  nightmare to deal with. After a couple of boosts, attacks such as  Lilligant's Hidden Power Rock won't cut it. The player not only has to  worry about breaking Substitutes, but also taking a huge hit in doing  so. Unlike Moltres, Entei isn't worn down easily by Stealth Rock and  isn't vulnerable to priority thanks to ExtremeSpeed. Your best bet is  beating it down as it switches in, crippling it with status, or having a  Pokemon that can take a Fire-type attack and an  ExtremeSpeed.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/146.png" alt="Moltres" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/moltres"><strong>Moltres</strong></a></dt>
<dd>A  Pokemon commonly used as a weapon on Sunny Day teams, Moltres poses a  major offensive threat to any team, but it can particularly run right  through Sunny Day teams with ease if they aren't prepared for it.  Moltres has a 4x resistance to Grass-type attacks (although some  Chlorophyll sweepers are known to carry Hidden Power Rock to deal with  Moltres) while also resisting Fire-type attacks. However, it's not  Moltres's resistances that sun teams should be most concerned with, but  rather its Fire Blast; Moltres uses your own sun against you by firing  off an insanely powerful Fire Blast, which sun teams have severe  difficultly switching into due to their offensive nature and propensity  to use Grass-types. Moltres can be dealt with through a combination of  Sleep Powder, Stealth Rock, and priority from users such as Shiftry with  Sucker Punch and Entei with ExtremeSpeed (be wary of Substitute though,  which will make Sucker Punch fail). It should be noted that while  Moltres's Fire Blast becomes a veritable nuke in the sun, its Hurricane  becomes even more unreliable, which can be used to the sun team's  advantage in certain situations.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/199.png" alt="Slowking" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/slowking"><strong>Slowking</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Slowking  is a specially defensive behemoth that can take even Grass-type attacks  and live to tell the tale. Regenerator + Slack Off lets it be a problem  throughout a battle, and its STAB attacks will hit Fire-types hard and  hit some Poison-type Chlorophyll sweepers as well. In addition, a Trick  Room set can literally flip the match, as now your sweepers are  "outsped" in sun.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/651.png" alt="Druddigon" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/druddigon"><strong>Druddigon</strong></a></dt> 
<dd>Druddigon's  pure Dragon typing gives it a multitude of resistances that allow it to  easily switch into Chlorophyll and Fire-type sweepers alike. It also  has support attacks that can cripple an offensive Pokemon and render it  useless for the rest of the match. Glare's paralysis effectively neuters  any offensive Pokemon, and Dragon Tail or Roar phazes out any stat  boosts that might have been obtained. Sucker Punch means that it can  check any Pokemon that doesn't have its own priority or  Substitute.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/359.png" alt="Absol" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/absol"><strong>Absol</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Absol  poses a huge threat to Sunny Day teams with an extremely powerful  priority move in STAB Sucker Punch and a staggering base 130 Attack. The  first step in dealing with Absol is limiting its opportunities to  switch in, as Absol is quite frail. This includes refraining from using  Psychic-types attacks and generally not relying on boosting moves. If  Absol does manage to safely switch in, look to play around Sucker Punch  as Absol has a mediocre base 75 Speed. Sucker Punch only works if Absol  is being attacked, so you can capitalize on this by putting Absol to  sleep with the many Chlorophyll sweepers that have access to Sleep  Powder, snagging a few offensive boosts, or setting up a Substitute.  There are a few sun sweepers that can handle Absol better than the rest,  such as Choice Scarf Emboar, which resists Sucker Punch and can rip  through Absol's paper-thin defenses with its Fighting-type STAB. Shiftry  also resists Sucker Punch, but is too frail to take one if Absol is at  +2.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/451.png" alt="Munchlax" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/munchlax"><strong>Munchlax</strong></a></dt>
<dd>While  it might not look the part, Munchlax is a decent special wall in RU  thanks to Eviolite and Thick Fat, which let it take on most special  attackers in the sun. Thick Fat gives Munchlax a resistance to Fire- and  Ice-type attacks, so many special attackers will struggle to get past  it if they lack a super effective attack. Munchlax can cripple your  attackers with Body Slam's paralysis rate or phaze them out with  Whirlwind and possibly cause extra hazard damage. Because it uses  RestTalk, Munchlax doesn't mind being put to sleep by Chlorophyll  sweepers. However, Munchlax's Defense, although boosted by Eviolite, is  still exploitable, and a low Speed and lack of reliable recovery means  that strong physical attacks will often pound it down.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/136.png" alt="Flareon" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/flareon"><strong>Flareon</strong></a></dt>
<dd>Flareon  resists Grass-type attacks, just like Entei, and is immune to Fire-type  attacks thanks to Flash Fire. Unlike Entei, Flareon has access to  reliable recovery in Wish to compensate for its Stealth Rock weakness  and a base 110 Special Defense. With Protect, Flareon can receive its  own Wishes safely and scout for troublesome attacks such as Nature Power  (Earthquake) and Hidden Power Rock. Flareon can also hit Sunny Day  teams deceptively hard with a STAB, sun-boosted, and possibly Flash  Fire-boosted Lava Plume, which also has a chance of crippling physical  attackers with burn status. Flareon is very difficult to beat one-on-one  due to Protect, but it can be dealt with by keeping Stealth Rock up and  hitting it with super effective attacks as it switches into a predicted  Fire-type attack.</dd>

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/468.png" alt="Lickilicky" />
<dt><a href="/bw/pokemon/lickilicky"><strong>Lickilicky</strong></a></dt>
<dd>While  Lickilicky might not possess any useful resistances, it can still pose a  defensive threat to Sunny Day teams with its 110 / 95 / 95 defenses.  Lickilicky's lack of useful resistances is somewhat compensated for by  its ability Cloud Nine, which eliminates any boost to Fire-type attacks  caused by the sun. Like Flareon, Lickilicky can utilize Wish + Protect  to heal up and scout for threatening attacks. Ironically, Cloud Nine is  illegal with Wish, so it won't have recovery outside of Rest. Lickilicky  can also utilize Dragon Tail to stop setup sweepers; some of them can't  handle Dragon Tail damage followed by Stealth Rock damage due to their  frailty and weakness to hazards. Similar to Munchlax, Lickilicky can  cripple foes through its STAB Body Slam, which has a handy paralysis  rate. Lickilicky is bulky, but due to its lack of resistances, it isn't  too difficult to take down. If your team can hit Lickilicky hard enough,  you can capitalize on it having to use Wish by nabbing a free turn to  obtain a crucial boost.</dd>

<dt><strong>Rain Dance Teams</strong></dt>
<dd>Opposing  weather teams are a problem, because then each weather needs their  respective element to sweep. Rain Dance teams can easily handle your  Fire-type sweepers in any weather; however, Chlorophyll sweepers can  usually land a super effective hit on most Swift Swim Pokemon.  Well-played Grass-type Pokemon are effective in talking down Swift Swim  sweepers. The downside is that the Speed is all dependent on which team  can keep their weather up.</dd>

<dt><strong>Hail Teams</strong></dt>
<dd>Snover,  by itself, isn't too big of a problem thanks to your Fire-types or  coverage attacks on Chlorophyll sweepers, but Snow Warning automatically  cancels out Sunny Day on the switch in, which means that a well-played  Snover can effectively neuter a whole sun team. Your Pokemon lose all  the benefits of sun and get pelted by residual damage each turn instead,  almost always putting you on the defensive from step one. Pummeling  Snover as it switches in will limit the number of times it can switch in  and change the weather.</dd>

<dt><strong>Trick Room Teams</strong></dt>
<dd>Although  fairly rare in RU, Trick Room teams pose a major threat to standard  Sunny Day teams. One of sun's greatest advantages is the Speed granted  by Chlorophyll, and the Trick Room playstyle turns Speed into a  liability. Trick Room teams also pack powerful attacks, which Sunny Day  teams have severe trouble switching into due to their offensive nature.  These teams can't be full-on countered as it is a playstyle; however,  initially slow sweepers such as Emboar, Tangrowth, and Vileplume might  give the player a chance to fight back. Priority is also an excellent  way to combat Trick Room teams; Shiftry's Sucker Punch deals with common  Trick Room Pokemon, such as Slowking and Duosion, while Entei's  ExtremeSpeed is also a strong form of priority. Sun inducers with  Protect can stall out Trick Room turns, while those with Taunt, such as  Whimsicott, can prevent Trick Room from being set up in the first  place.</dd>
</dl>

<h2><a name="building">Building a Sunny Day Team</a></h2>
<ol>
<li><em>Capitalize  on the sun</em> - This might seem like a given, but players often  concern themselves too much with the fact that sun only last 5-8 turns.  Basically, build your team so that it capitalizes on the sun enough to  give it a distinct advantage over the standard offensive team, but not  so much that your team is useless outside of sun.</li>
<li><em>Support</em>  - In addition to the required sun inducers, there are other forms of  support that can greatly help the team. SunnyBeam users can be valuable  to a Sunny Day team. Rapid Spin support is almost a must if you plan on  using Moltres, Charizard, or a Fire-type with a Choice item. Torkoal,  Kabutops, and Sandslash make good Rapid Spin users, also providing the  team with a useful Rock-type resistance. If you really want to ensure  your team is safe from hazards, a Pursuit trapper such as Drapion can be  used to eliminate Ghost-types so your Rapid Spin user can spin freely.  There is also the more gimmicky option of Magic Coat. Wish or Healing  Wish support is useful for giving a sweeper another chance at sweeping.  Flareon and Mesprit can provide Wish and Healing Wish support,  respectively. Paralysis and dual screen support aids your sweepers with  setting up; Natu and Uxie can provide both.</li>
<li><em>Have  a team that is able to pull itself together once the sun turns  end</em> - Based on the number of powerful sun sweepers and  absence of auto-weather inducers, players might think that throwing  together a team of 1 inducer + 5 sun sweepers will lead to success.  However, this is not the case. It cannot be stressed enough that sun  only lasts 5-8 turns in RU. Often, this window is just too small for the  player to pull off a sweep right away, and with a team of 5 sweepers,  the player will be scrambling to regroup. Your sweepers need to have  offensive synergy, which means they eliminate each other's counters, so  the other can freely sweep. Also, your team should be able to handle  itself outside of sun. One way you can do this is to have a strong  priority attack on your team, such as Entei's ExtremeSpeed or Shiftry's  Sucker Punch.</li>
<li><em>Hazard  Control</em> - As previously stated, it's very difficult to pull  off a full sweep in the 5-8 turn window you get with sun. For this  reason, the player must constantly switch out to set up sun, then switch  out again to get that sun to a sweeper. This, combined with most  Fire-types having a weakness to Stealth Rock and the natural switching  the opponent will force upon you, means hazard control is crucial. One  way to control hazards is a Rapid Spin user such as Shell Smash Torkoal.  However, in some cases, having to Rapid Spin can greatly slow down your  team's offensive momentum. Some alternatives are a fast Pokemon with  Taunt, a Pokemon with Magic Coat, or refraining from loading your team  with Choice item Pokemon, allowing your Pokemon to switch less often.  You'll want to have hazards of your own, not only to secure more KOs but  also to keep opposing Fire-types at bay as they are threats to sun  teams in general.</li>
<li><em>Have something that  can switch into strong Fire-type attacks</em> - This is something  most Sunny Day teams struggle with. What usually happens is an opposing  Moltres or Entei comes along and uses the sun against the player,  ripping though the few Pokemon that resist Fire-type attacks, which are  frail Fire-types. Good sun inducers that resist Fire-type attacks  include Regirock and Hariyama. Flash Fire Flareon can be used as an  offensive option. Having a Rock-type attack can make sure that  Fire-types aren't a problem.</li>
</ol>

<h2><a name="sample">Sample Team</a></h2>
<p><em>Venus Fly Trap</em> by <a href="/forums/member.php?u=40742">Texas Cloverleaf</a>.</p>

<div id="border">
<p>Emboar @ Choice Scarf<br />
Ability: Blaze<br />
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe<br />
Jolly Nature<br />
- Flare Blitz<br />
- Superpower<br />
- Wild Charge<br />
- Head Smash<br />
<br />
Regirock @ Heat Rock<br />
Ability: Clear Body<br />
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 168 SpD<br />
Modest Nature<br />
- Stealth Rock<br />
- Rock Slide<br />
- Sunny Day<br />
- Explosion<br />
<br />
Whimsicott @ Heat Rock<br />
Ability: Prankster<br />
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe<br />
Jolly Nature<br />
- U-turn<br />
- Taunt<br />
- Sunny Day<br />
- Memento<br />
<br />
Typhlosion @ Heat Rock<br />
Ability: Blaze<br />
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe<br />
Timid Nature<br />
- Fire Blast<br />
- SolarBeam<br />
- Sunny Day<br />
- Hidden Power [Rock]<br />
<br />
Victreebel @ Life Orb<br />
Ability: Chlorophyll<br />
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe<br />
Timid Nature<br />
- SolarBeam<br />
- Sludge Bomb<br />
- Weather Ball<br />
- Growth<br />
<br />
Uxie @ Heat Rock<br />
Ability: Levitate<br />
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD<br />
Careful Nature<br />
- U-turn<br />
- Sunny Day<br />
- Memento<br />
- Magic Coat<br /></p>
</div>

<p>Venus  Fly Trap is a really offensive team that starts pummeling the opponent  from turn one. The main goal of this team is to make sure sun is up at  all times, so the team can get the maximum damage output. Uxie and  Whimsicott can both can set up 8 turns of Sunny Day and U-turn out to  Victreebel, Typhlosion, or Emboar. Magic Coat on Uxie dissuades the use  of Spore and opposing support attacks like Stealth Rock. When Uxie and  Whimsicott are on their last legs, they can use Memento, an integral  part of the team because otherwise Victreebel would have a hard time  setting up. Victreebel is the trump card for the team thanks to Growth,  because after a Growth boost it can OHKO much of the tier and easily  2HKOes the part that it doesn't. Dual STAB coverage with SolarBeam and  Sludge Bomb with Weather Ball hits the tier for at least neutral damage.  Typhlosion takes full advantage of sun by utilizing SolarBeam to 2HKO  its counters, Lanturn and Slowking. To make sure sun is up at all times,  Typhlosion can also set up Sunny Day in a pinch with Hidden Power Rock  rounding out the coverage, hitting Moltres and Entei. Regirock has a  very important role in that it sets up Stealth Rock to wear the opponent  down and is an emergency panic button of sorts. Thanks to Regirock's  immense bulk, it can take on any situation and perform to expectations.  Is sun gone with Snover switching in? No worries, Regirock can take a  STAB Blizzard and set up Sunny Day. Or if a dangerous sweeper has set up  and sun is now gone, Regirock can Explode on it to get rid of the  problem. Additionally, Regirock handles Absol and Entei, two Pokemon  that are a nightmare for Sunny Day teams to handle. Emboar is the backup  for Venus Fly Trap. Outside of sun, Emboar can still outspeed many  Pokemon thanks to Choice Scarf and hit them with its range of attacks.  Emboar's Fighting STAB is greatly appreciated thanks to its ability to  take down Munchlax, which would otherwise prove to be problematic. Venus  Fly Trap is an excellent team that showcases the highly offensive  nature of Sunny Day teams and how quickly they can overcome the  opponent.</p>

<h2><a name="conclusion">Conclusion</a></h2>
<p>Hopefully,  after reading this guide, you gained a greater understanding of how  Sunny Day teams function as well as the knowledge required to create an  effective Sunny Day team in RU! Sunny Day is an incredibly offensive  playstyle that can quickly flip the opponent's world in more than one  way.</p>
 

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