Ludicolo dance dance
qc'd: erisia, Steamroll, tennisace, DTC
gp'd: Oglemi
[Overview]
<p>Ludicolo is probably the jolliest looking Pokemon in existence, with that happy dance and look on its face. However, don't underestimate Ludicolo, as its typing and movepool makes it one of the deadliest Pokemon in the NU tier. While it has generally average stats, with only a base 100 Special Defense the only thing that really stands out, its two excellent rain-centric abilities and a great STAB combination make it amazing in rain. Despite its low 70 / 90 attacking stats for a sweeper, with only Swords Dance to boost its stats, Ludicolo can shred through teams in rain, wrecking everything not resistant to Water-type attacks, only to use its Grass STAB to keep those that do in check. Not only does it perform well as a rain sweeper, it is also one of the best checks to rain in NU, only beaten by Swanna's Hurricane and Seismitoad's Sludge Wave. 80 / 70 / 100 defenses are pretty good when checking rain, especially when one considers its 4x resistance to Water. This makes Ludicolo one of NU's legitimate bulky Water-type Pokemon. Basically, Ludicolo is the face of NU rain teams and balanced teams that want a solid rain counter.</p>
[SET]
name: Swift Swim
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance / Focus Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Say hello to one of the deadliest rain sweepers in NU. It's because of sets like this that Drizzle + Swift Swim was banned in OU. With rain intact, it rips through just about any Pokemon in the NU tier with its amazing coverage. It is also self-supporting, as it can set rain again on its own and has the bulk as well as typing to do so. Hydro Pump devastates every wall in NU and can often clear the path for its fellow rainy teammates. Surf is more reliable but considerably less powerful, which makes Ludicolo more of a late-game cleaner than a powerhouse. Giga Drain helps beat the Water-type Pokemon that resist its Water-type attacks, and unlike other Water-type Pokemon, Ludicolo gets STAB on it, and it's a nice way to recover HP when using Life Orb. Only Grass- and Dragon-type Pokemon resist Ludicolo's STAB combination. However, Ice Beam takes care of both, and it has nice power as well. The last moveslot is up to you. Rain Dance allows Ludicolo to keep rain up on its own and makes it more self-supporting; however, Focus Blast is useful for hitting Lickilicky and Regice, although Hydro Pump is more accurate and does more in rain. It is a nice alternative if used with Surf, however, as Surf is much weaker than Hydro Pump.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A simple EV spread of 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe works for this set as it allows Ludicolo to hit as hard and as fast as possible. Now, you might ask why Timid isn't slashed next to Modest; this is because there is nothing important to outspeed beyond what Ludicolo already does with Modest. Another question is why not a bulkier set as Ludicolo is most likely going to have the Speed boost thanks to rain, and this is because Ludicolo needs to hit hard and fast, even without rain up.</p>
<p>A Life Orb is used as it allows Ludicolo to reach its maximum offensive potential. However, Damp Rock or Leftovers can be used instead, as Damp Rock increases the time rain lasts to 8 turns, which can be just the amount of turns needed to overpower an opponent, or slightly more survivability due to Leftovers.</p>
<p>Teammates for Ludicolo should be Pokemon that can either set up rain or utilize the rain alongside Ludicolo. Volbeat, Gardevoir, Probopass and others can all set up Rain Dance, and as such are all viable partners for Ludicolo. Rain sweepers include fellow Swift Swimmers, such as Gorebyss, Floatzel, and Seismitoad, as well as Pokemon that can deal a ton damage in rain, such as Swanna. Swanna gets a special mention, as it beats bulky Ludicolo, something the Swift Swim set has trouble doing. Entry hazards are also great support for Ludicolo, as it allows it to weaken opponents before Ludocolo can come in and sweep. Cacturne, Garbodor, and Golem can set up entry hazards to allow Ludicolo to sweep with ease.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Scald
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Toxic / Ice Beam
move 4: Synthesis / Leech Seed
item: Leftovers
ability: Rain Dish
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 152 SpA / 104 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>How ironic that the first set is one that sweeps in the rain, whereas the next one's intent is to stop rain? Not only is Ludicolo's Grass / Water typing unique, it's the perfect typing to stop rain, with a quad resistance to Water, neutral to Ice and Grass, and a Grass-type STAB to punish the Water-type Pokemon commonly used in rain. It can tank even the strongest rain sweepers in rain (+2 Modest Life Orb Gorebyss only does 66.48 - 78.57% with Ice Beam) and recover the damage thanks to Leftovers, Giga Drain, and Rain Dish. It is also one of the best counters for Swift Swim Ludicolo in the tier, as Giga Drain only does 33.79 - 39.83% while this Ludicolo does the same back and has Leftovers and Rain Dish recovery. Scald is a consistent STAB attack that can land a burn, which is useful in stopping physical threats such as Sawsbuck and Absol. Giga Drain is another great STAB that hits the majority of the Swift Swimmers and rain sweepers in the tier for super effective damage. Toxic is used to break down bulky walls such as opposing Ludicolo and Rotom-S. However, Ice Beam is also useful, nailing Altaria and Fraxure that might try and use this Ludicolo set as setup fodder. In the last slot, Synthesis is used for reliable recovery, because this set is not specifically meant to be used in rain, just to check it. However, if you're paranoid about rain, or want to take advantage of Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Leech Seed can be used, as it allows Ludicolo gain much more HP alongside Leftovers, Giga Drain and Rain Dish.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread used for this Ludicolo is used with a specific purpose in mind. With the Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature, Ludicolo has enough power to OHKO all neutral natured rain sweepers, while still retaining enough bulk to avoid the 2HKO from Modest Life Orb Gorebyss (counting Leftovers and Rain Dish). If one feels that Scald is too weak, or that it'll interfere with Toxic, Surf and Hydro Pump are viable alternatives. Hydro Pump has a 56.3% to OHKO Swanna in the rain after Stealth Rock, so the power alone is worth mulling it over. Speed EVs can be used to outspace Swords Dance Samurott before it can OHKO Ludicolo with Megahorn, although doing so would take away from Ludicolo's bulk.</p>
<p> Entry hazards are annoying for Ludicolo, especially Toxic Spikes as well as status in general, so having a Pokemon that can either heal status or keep Toxic Spikes at bay would make a great partner. Skuntank can deal with the special tanks in the tier that bother Ludicolo, as well as absorb Toxic Spikes. Miltank and Lickilicky both carry Heal Bell and Wish, which is great for Ludicolo if it forgoes Leech Seed. Vileplume can use Aromatherapy as well as absorb Toxic Spikes, although both share a Flying-type weakness.</p>
<p>While it handles rain well, it needs a solid defensive core around it because Ludicolo can't take many powerful neutral attacks (especially on the physical end). Physical walls such as Weezing and bulky Rotom-S can work, as well as something to deal with powerful threats that come with sun, such as Charizard and Sawsbuck.Altaria, Miltank, and Flareon all work, and a core of Ludicolo and one of those Pokemon can effectively shut down weather.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Ludicolo has a mere base 70 Attack, after a Swords Dance it can easily surprise any special walls and common rain checks and counters. Even the bulky attacker set can't stop it, after a Swords Dance, Seed Bomb OHKOs with Stealth Rock. Generally, this is a set with plenty of surprise value that can sweep unprepared team with ease, especially teams that use their physical wall earlier in the match. As such, this set makes a better late-game sweeper than early-game, as it cleans up matches easily. Waterfall is the strongest physical Water-type STAB attack Ludicolo can receive, and it's even stronger when boosted by rain. Likewise, Seed Bomb is the strongest physical Grass-type STAB available, providing great coverage alongside Waterfall. Ice Punch, combined with the other two attacks, easily provides great coverage against most of the NU tier.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is standard for a sweeper; maximum Attack and Speed so it can be as fast and as strong as possible, allowing it to sweep teams with more ease. If you want something to get rid of Gurdurr and Weezing, Zen Headbutt can be used, although it has little use outside of that. Likewise, Drain Punch can be used, as it gives Ludicolo recovery after every use, although it doesn't gain notable coverage on anything. Nature Power is also another interesting option, as it turns into Earthquake, which gives reasonable coverage alongside Ludicolo's STABs. It can even avoid Absol's Sucker Punch and OHKO it after a Swords Dance.</p>
<p>Rain setters such as Miltank, Rotom-S, Volbeat, and others, make great partners, as each can set up rain to facilitate a sweep. Also, like other sweepers, entry hazards are great for Ludicolo, weakening opponents for an easier sweep. Pokemon such as Golem, Probopass, and Cacturne that can set up entry hazards are great partners. Also, one can never have too much of a good thing, so use Ludicolo alongside other Swift Swim Pokemon; Seismitoad, Flotzel, and Gorebyss all work in this role, as they can make it hard for the opponent to stop all of the rain sweepers.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Toxic / Scald
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Rain Dish
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is different from the other sets, as it uses Ludicolo's great defensive typing as well as bulk to stall out opponents. Also, as Ludicolo's most common set is the offensive set, it can force out opponents and get up a free Substitute with ease. The icing on the cake for this set is the fact that it doesn't have common weaknesses, so combine this with great defenses and Leech Seed, and you have one annoying Pokemon to take down. The third moveslot is up to what you need accomplished. Toxic breaks down the bulkiest of Pokemon, such as Alomomola, opposing Ludicolo, and Articuno. Scald, on the other hand, gives Ludicolo a STAB attack that can burn physical attackers, making it easier for Ludicolo to tank their attacks. Finally, Ice Beam is used to ensure that Ludicolo isn't walled by Grass-types such as Tangela due to their immunity to Leech Seed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are straightforward; maximum HP and Special Defense with a Calm nature ensures that Ludicolo has enough Special Defense to take on even the more powerful attackers in the tier, such as Gardevoir and Gorebyss. A physically defensive spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD with a Bold nature can be used to tank physical attacks better, although Ludicolo's typing and stats makes it a better special tank than a physical one. Rain Dance and Swift Swim can be used on this set to make Ludicolo the fastest SubSeeder in NU, although it isn't nearly as good as Rain Dish, which gives Ludicolo more HP in the rain. Giga Drain can also be used to take care of Seismitoad carrying Sludge Wave as well as have an attack to take out Water-types in general, although other than that it doesn't have the coverage Ice Beam provides. Protect can also be used alongside Toxic to stall opponents, although this means Grass-type Pokemon will walk all over Ludicolo, so be wary of that if using Protect.</p>
<p>Because this variant of Ludicolo forces a lot of switches, Pokemon that can set up entry hazards make viable partners for this set. Garbodor gets a special mention here, as it can set up Toxic Spikes that wear down the opposition even more. Garbodor can also remove Toxic Spikes as soon as it switches in, which means that Ludicolo doesn't have to worry about being poisoned. Aromatherapy and Heal Bell from Pokemon such as Vileplume and Miltank also work well, getting rid of poison, which cripples Ludicolo.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>With a Pokemon as versatile as Ludicolo, you would think it would have plenty of alternative choices it can use. However, its movepool is really bare, and there isn't much to choose from. Haze can be used to keep setup Pokemon in check, although it struggles to find a slot on a set. A RestTalk set might also look good on paper, but with BW mechanics, it doesn't work as well in practice. Teeter Dance alongside Own Tempo may seem good, as Ludicolo can confuse the opponent without confusing itself. However, Own Tempo is outclassed by Ludicolo's other two abilities, and relying on confusion to win is a bad strategy in general. Choice Specs might seem like a good idea, although Ludicolo's Swift Swim set already packs enough power without limiting Ludicolo's great coverage to just one attack. Sunny Day and SolarBeam might look good, although all you're doing is weakening Ludicolo's Water-type STAB and increasing its vulnerability to Fire-type attacks. Plus, its abilities benefit from rain, not sun. On the Swords Dance set, Fire Punch and ThunderPunch could be used, although Waterfall, Seed Bomb, and Ice Punch will provide the same amount of coverage with more power due to STAB.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Well, with every set performing nearly entirely differently, there really is just one Ludicolo counter: itself. Swift Swim variants can't get past the bulky attacker nor the SubSeed set, and vice versa, as defensive variants of Ludicolo without Toxic can't break down other Ludicolo sets. Tangela is also a good counter to the Swords Dance set. A +2 Ice Punch won't even 2HKO Tangla, while it can use either Sleep Powder or Toxic to wear down Ludicolo. Toxic Spikes are also very effective in stopping Ludicolo, as it wears it down each turn, even more so for offensive sets. Swanna is a great check, OHKOing every variant with Brave Bird, and OHKOing even the SubSeed set after Stealth Rock damage. Fast Choice Scarf users, such as Cinccino and Zebstrika, can outpace Ludicolo even in the rain, although neither can OHKO it without prior damage. Absol's Sucker Punch is also a good check, as it OHKOs offensive variants after a Swords Dance and Stealth Rock damage. However, the best way of dealing with Ludicolo is getting rid of rain. Without rain, it becomes slower and much easier to handle. Swellow and Braviary can now both outspeed and OHKO Ludicolo with Brave Bird. Also, if sun is set up, Charizard outspeeds and can roast Ludicolo with either a sun-boosted Fire Blast or Overheat, or just use a STAB Air Slash to take care of it. All in all, Ludicolo is a threat that you must prepare for, but if you don't, just try and make sure you aren't facing one in rain.</p>gl
