Other Lonely Storm (ORAS Battle Spot Singles)

[mhykah]

[Battle Spot Singles]
As seen in the Battlespot RMT Thread!
If you don't know the Battlespot meta then please check it out, it's a fun and fast-paced (usually) format :D

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Hi everyone! Although I've been playing Battlespot since the format's conception I never put in the effort to try and create a solid team that I enjoyed playing until now. The release of ORAS has shaken up the metagame introducing powerful threats which show that there is more than just Kangaskhan. After XY's weather nerf, what excited me most is the return of rain teams in the raw power of Mega Swampert. Although rain turns are still limited, this guy can really hurt with the right support and a Politoed to keep up rain. Furthermore, 3v3s mean that it doesn't need as many turns of rain in order to sweep a team compared to 6v6 Smogon Formats. After playing both on Showdown and on cartridge to find my way around the meta this is what I came up with.

As I write this I have peaked at 1430 elo on Showdown and (hopefully) increasing so I'd like to share the team which brought me here! At this point the reason why I haven't been able to hit the elusive 1500 is both a need to practice more and weaknesses in the team. I'd appreciate all and any feedback or ideas :)

Teambuilding Process

The introduction of Mega Swampert is what inspired me to create this team. Once it's raining then he becomes difficult to stop.

Of course, that meant that rain is necessary in the first place. Although I have seen Rain Dance Mega Swamperts, it is not a reliable way of getting it up and it seems like a waste of great natural bulk to have to take a free hit just to set up. Also, using Politoed means that Damp Rock can be used for 3 additional turns of rain.

Since my core has similar typing, they share common weaknesses, namely Grass which isn't all too uncommon. Ferrothorn not only shrugs off Grass attacks but also benefits from the fire nerf in rain, often being able to live an additional turn. It also creates a Def-SpD synergy with Politoed. Something like a cheap version of SkarmBliss.

A tier with bans decided solely by Game Freak is pretty much what you would imagine. Imbalanced. Be thankful for Smogon tiers because in Battle Spot Mega Salamence is everywhere! Porygon2 is my obligatory counter and was chosen over alternatives such as Cresselia and Zapdos because of it's proven effectiveness and the ability to Intimidate opposing Salamence on the switch in.

Battle Spot's bring 6 pick 3 format allows the use of multiple megas in a team. Although Swampert is a beast in his own right, there are still some that hard counter it. That's where Salamence comes in as an alternative win condition.

I have gone through 719 candidates for this last spot and so I'll include a section at the bottom listing some of these which I've tested. Some were effective, some not so effective, and some were pretty fun to play! Many of these revolved me trying to find an answer to incoming status, especially WoW which cripples Swampert badly.

However in the end I settled on Conkeldurr. I was so focused on being able to bounce back or be immune to statuses that it hadn't crossed my mind to just find a Guts user until later. Not only does it help my status paranoia, but Conkeldurr has also filled in some blanks that my team was missing such as an answer to fairies Porygon2 which is on the rise as the premier Mega Salamence counter.

Without further ado I introduce the prototype work-in-progress Lonely Storm!

Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature (+SpD - SpA)
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Rest
- Encore​

The staple for rain teams. Being the only legal Pokemon with Drizzle, Politoed is the essential rain setter being able to bring in 8 turns of rain without any risk of being Rain Dance taunted. I have specifically chosen to go with defensive Politoed as it gives me the longevity it needs to make me feel less pressured to switch in my sweepers at poor times and taking unnecessary hits. For the longest time I had used Toxic over Ice Beam but found it a bit silly for two reasons. Firstly, steel types are common and when they switch in to block a Toxic, Politoed can't do much back. Magnezone scares me off with Thunderbolt, Ferrothorn Power Whips, etc. Also Toxic stall simply doesn't work on a Politoed-Swampert core. Swampert so badly needs as many turns of rain as possible and Toxic takes up those turns. Encore prevents both stall and opponents setting up, forcing opponents to switch which works to bring in Swampert safely without sacking Politoed. Sleep Talk could be considered over Encore but the utility of Encore is one of the few answers to stall that I have.

Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp → Swift Swim
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Att -SpA)
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Protect​

The sole gift to rain teams from ORAS and the reason for me to make this team! 156 Spe allows MSwampert to outspeed max Spe MSceptiles which can be OHKO'd no sweat. Most teams can be swept by the combination of these three moves, although Waterfall will do the most damage in the rain I find myself using Earthquake and Ice Punch just as much. Protect allows me to Mega Evolve in the rain and not take unnecessary damage while my speed is unboosted. It allows me to block a hit from MSceptile as well as other threats which would otherwise OHKO me. Superpower, Hammer Arm or Power Up Punch can be considered over Protect as it gives Swampert amazing coverage but at the same time it gives you less opportune times to Mega Evolve safely. Protect also scouts for moves and makes Lopunny and Blaziken's High Jump Kicks recoil.

Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature (+Def -SpA)
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Protect​

Ferrothorn benefits from the rain through nerfs to fire attacks. Just look at this tank!

252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 300-352 (165.7 - 194.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn in Rain: 144-172 (79.5 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Of course Ferrothorn wouldn't be able to OHKO back, but this allows for an additional turn to Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, or Leech Seed. Also the Rocky Helmet + Iron Barbs residual damage really does a number against contact damage which can be switched into. Namely incoming Fake Outs, Power Whips, Close Combats, and any priority move which threaten Ferrothorn's teammates. If I see the opportunity to lead with Ferrothorn as well as see potentially Focus Sashed enemies, Stealth Rock allows them to be broken giving Swampert an easier time to sweep. It's rare that I get to use all of Ferrothorn's moves in the one game but they are all situationally useful! The percentage damage of Leech Seed prevents setting up and stall to some extent and Protect can scout for moves, give additional turns of Leech Seed, and make Lopunny and Blaziken miss High Jump Kicks so that they take massive recoil damage. The only problem that I have with Protect is that it could potentially take up turns of rain. Knock Off gets rid of Eviolites and other key items.

Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpA
Bold Nature (+Def -Atk)
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Thunder
-Toxic
- Recover​

I posted my opinion of Porygon2 here and this is the spread that I came up with! Most of my explanation for Porgyon2 are in those two posts so I won't go into detail here but 92 SpA specifically OHKO's 4HP Salamence which Porygon2 has no trouble switching into. Trace was chosen for the utility of switching in and out of Arena Trap/Shadow Tag, Intimidate Salamences, as well as many other situational uses.

92 SpA Porygon2 Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Salamence: 172-204 (100.5 - 119.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Aerilate Salamence Return vs. 252 HP / 164 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 84-99 (43.7 - 51.5%) -- 8.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Mega Salamence Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 81-96 (42.1 - 50%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Aerilate Mega Salamence Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 73-87 (38 - 45.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Ice Beaming Salamences for the OHKO feels so satisfying. Thunder was chosen over Thunderbolt and Tri Attack for it's BoltBeam coverage and perfect accuracy in the rain. Recover allows Porygon2 to keep up it's phenomenal bulk and force switches. Toxic is a solution to defensive/stall teams such as Mega Slowbro without Rest. Knock Off hurts P2's bulk by removing Eviolite but Ferrothorn can punish them if switched into.

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate → Aerialate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe -SpA)
- Double-Edge
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance​

If you can't beat them, join them. I'm almost ashamed to use MSalamence but it's power and ridiculous BST is something to be feared. Although teams are often prepared (and even over-prepared) for the beast at this point of time, Salamence still finds the occasional enemy team with no sufficient counter. Just the sight of Salamence in team preview turns the game around in my favour. I expect opponents to bring their own checks/counters and can plan my teams accordingly, often not even bringing Salamence. This was the primary reason for it's inclusion for my team and was in fact originally Choice Scarf Salamence which can revenge kill opposing Salamences not behind a substitute. One DD boost and MKangaskhan 2.0 goes to town. Max Speed outspeeds key threats such as Raikou and speedties opposing Max Spe Salamence. Dragon Claw is chosen over Outrage so that I don't get locked into outraging meddlesome fairies, while still being able to do big damage against Dragon-Types.

Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 236 SpD / 20 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk - SpA)
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab​

The still tentative Slot 6 of my team. This has been the most contested place in any of my teams so far and in these weeks I have been testing out countless ideas to put the team together, both offensive and defensive. My team lacked something to do considerable damage to fairies, a status absorber and a strong fighting move since I opted out of one for Swampert. Cokeldurr has filled that spot quite nicely without being too reliant on rain which was a problem I faced in previous iterations for this slot. A solid mix of power and bulk, Conkeldurr doesn't mind Toxics or Will-O-Wisps coming his way and can often retaliate with force. Mach Punch gives Conkeldurr the only priority in the team which felt needed for those priority users that Ferrothorn can't stay around forever for, and Poison Jab knocks out fairies which was something else this team lacked. Knock Off hurts Aegislash and Latias both of which are common on the Showdown ladder. 20 Spe EVs outspeed Hippowdon which likes to switch in when rain is up to change the weather. The ever increasing Porygon2 is often brought versus this team since opponents see Salamence in the team preview and Conkeldurr lols at it as Toxic only activates guts and Drain Punch out-damages Recover.

Rip In Pieces Past Members

Espeon @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe -Atk)
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Rain Dance
- Light Screen
- Reflect​

Espeon sits at the most uneasy spot in my team, being the most likely to be replaced. The utlity of Magic Bounce as well as Dual Screens is cool but I don't often bring Espeon to games other than specific match-ups due to it's lack of viability otherwise.

Dragonite @ Life Orb
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe -Atk)
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Hurricane
- Surf
- Agility
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Perfect accuracy Thunder! Perfect accuracy Hurricane! Rain-boosted Surf! Dragonite makes perfect sense on a rain team right!? Well yes and no. Even with as much speed as possible to give is sweeping capabilities, Dragonite's 80 Spe feels so pitiful and leaves it an open target for the multitude of fast and powerful checks, especially since Ice-Type attacks are almost always in teams. Even switching up to a 252 HP / 252 SpA spread didn't help because it didn't do as much damage as I'd hoped. Dragonite also limited the use of rain, making him too situational. I have 8 turns of rain so why use him over Swampert if I wanted a sweeper? It was hard for me to find a reason to keep him.

Gorebyss @ White Herb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Substitute
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Smash-Pass Gorebyss to Salamence is fun. Not effective or reliable, but fun.

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And so there it is, my interpretation of a Battle Spot rain team! I don't claim for this team to be the best as there are still some glaring faults and weaknesses but it's been a fun run with this team. So for this I'd like to ask for feedback from anyone and everyone! The team definitely could use some improvement so yeah.

Showdown Laddering Progress

Pokemon Showdown Replays

Ferrothorn: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battlespotsingles-189890997
I don't care about no Chansey: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battlespotsingles-189906044
Porygon2: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battlespotsingles-189969007
Ferrothorn again/Game to get 1400: elo http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battlespotsingles-190761677
Bonus Battle. It's not even this team: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battlespotsingles-191741361

Obligatory Importable

Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Encore
- Rest

Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
Level: 50
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Protect

Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Knock Off
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Protect

Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Thunder
- Recover
- Toxic

Salamence @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 236 SpD / 20 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab

Special thanks to everyone who tested the team with me, gave me feedback as it was in building process, or even just chatted to me as I theorycrafted and laddered. Especially everyone who is on the Battle Spot Forum/PS Lobby/IRC. Won't name people because I know I'll forget someone.
I doubt that you read the whole RMT. No one reads the whole RMT. I know that you just scrolled straight down here. 100th post yay.

 

[Jde1126]

I really like the team, but Politoad is sometimes just a pivot, Im going to try running him with "Focus Blast" over "Ice Beam". Swampert and Porygon2 already run an ice coverage.

 

[mhykah]

There are a lot of benefits from using offensive Politoed compared to what I have here! It's been a while since I've used this team and the meta has changed quite a bit since then. I'd like to either update this RMT or make a new one but basically I've switched out MSalamence for MManectric which has helped me considerably. I have also switched out Conkeldurr for a defensive Talonflame which helps me with the speed problems I was facing outside of rain. Because of this, I needed a new status absorber and so Lum Berry Trevenant over Ferrothorn is also worth considering if you want to switch out Conkeldurr.

Have fun playing with rain and let me know how else you might make a team! I think that it's still a great playstyle in BSpot Singles :)