Politoed @ Choice Specs
Trait: Drizzle
188 Hp / 252 SpAtt / 68 Spe
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
-Surf
-Hidden Power (Grass)
-Ice Beam
-Focus Blast
SpecsToed has really dropped in usage recently, because due to the commonality of weather wars, people have opted for more bulky sets. However, he remains a very hard set to deal with. Here are some calcs to show you his raw power:
-Politoed's Surf vs Heatran: 107.53 - 126.75%
-Politoed's Surf vs Mamoswine: 248.61 - 293.37%
-Politoed's Ice Beam vs Celebi: 74.92 - 88.45%
-Politoed's HP Grass vs Rotom-W: 76.03 - 90.08%
-Politoed's HP Grass vs Mamoswine: 81.76 - 96.68%
-Politoed's Ice Beam vs Mamoswine: 55.24 - 65.19%
This set completely shuts down Heatran (the 68 Spe investment means it is outsped), all he can do is attempt a Roar or switch out, which is what makes this set so great. I can cripple or KO the switch and then switch out before Politoed gets hurt. Now, you might be thinking
But then Rotom-W can come in and hit hard with Volt-Turn or Thunderbolt, or predict the switch with Hydro Pump or Trick. Let me explain what happens in those situations.
Volt-Switch: Doesn't KO Politoed or allows Thundurus-T a free switch and set up
Thunderbolt: Same as Volt-Switch
Trick: Politoed now outspeeds, if we predicted right and hit with HP Grass, or if not, Thundurus-T now has a Choice Scarf Thunder that can KO with a small amount of prior damage (such as that from the move we used instead of HP Grass on the switch)
Hydro Pump: Thundurus-T doesnt survive this one, however Politoed is only 2HKOed and can retaliate with with a HP Grass to finish it off (assuming good prediction). This is the most dangerous move he could make, but is easily remedied with team support.
Now, what if he switches in Celebi instead. Well, maybe you got lucky and hit Ice Beam, but most of the time, Celebi will come in on HP Grass or Surf. Nows your chance to make Metagross useful - Pursuit and Meteor Mash both do very nice damage, while Hidden Power Fire is now a 4HKO due to the rain.
Other than raw power and some bulk, Politoed also bring Rain. Here's a list of benefits that Rain brings to the team at this moment:
-100% accuracy Thunder on Thundurus-T and Meoletta
-Reduction in fire weakness for Metagross
-30% and 60% chance to paralyze on Thundurus-T and Meoletta's Thunder, respectively.
As a final note, I noticed many other people were hesitant of putting Politoed in because the other team could pick a Kingdra, Gastrodon, or other counter to rain. But team 1 was graced with the last pick, and can therefore outpick almost any Pokemon they throw at us.