[OVERVIEW]
* Pelipper is a good rain setter either on a dedicated rain duo or by itself due to its typing and movepool, and it can also be used to eliminate opposing weather.
* It has good dual STAB moves in Scald and Hurricane, keeping it a threat instead of something your opponent can ignore and take advantage of, and the rain boosts its Scalds to be even stronger.
* It also has access to Tailwind, which provides the rest of the team with speed control.
* Pelipper is relatively frail and has a quadruple weakness to Electric-type moves, making it more frail than Politoed, another potential rain setter.
* The rain archetype in general is very offensive, relying on outspeeding and dealing heavy damage to the opposing team without taking much damage in return. It can sweep through unprepared teams, but well-prepared opponents will have an easier time dealing with it.
[SET]
name: Offensive Rain Setter
move 1: Scald
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald and Hurricane are the go-to STAB moves of choice, providing strong offensive coverage that can hit many Pokemon for at least neutral effectiveness. Hurricane is also perfectly accurate in rain, which could help against opposing Pokemon that try to increase their evasion.
* Tailwind lets Pelipper support its team in scenarios where its attacks wouldn't hit very hard, so its teammates can start dealing more damage first.
* Protect lets Pelipper survive opposing attacks that might KO it or break its Focus Sash, so it can survive longer.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are used to make Pelipper as fast and as offensive as possible, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in HP.
* Pelipper doesn't really need a Timid nature to outspeed anything significant, and it can boost its Speed with Tailwind anyway, so the extra power that Modest provides is appreciated.
* Drizzle is mandatory for Pelipper to do its job, and it is the only thing that makes Pelipper viable.
* Focus Sash is necessary for Pelipper to set Tailwind more reliably and can even set it in the face of strong Electric-type attackers, letting Pelipper outspeed them afterwards.
Usage Tips
========
* Pelipper is a good lead, as its Focus Sash lets it ensure that it gets up Tailwind early on unless it is double targeted. Once Tailwind is up, you can continue hitting the foes hard with Pelipper or switch it out to let its teammates take full advantage of the increased Speed.
* Use Protect to block Fake Out and being double-targeted.
* Be wary of opposing Pokemon with Trick Room, as Tailwind under Trick Room makes your Pokemon even more vulnerable.
* Opposing weathers can be an issue. If an opposing team is well-prepared for rain offense, you can just use Pelipper as more of a support Pokemon to set Tailwind and hit opposing Pokemon with rain-boosted Scalds. Opponents are likely to bring their own form of weather to counter yours. Take note of the Speed of the other weather setters, and if you think Pelipper will outspeed them, don't lead with it so you can switch it in later.
Team Options
========
* Golduck is a fantastic partner to Pelipper, as Golduck is the best Swift Swim user in the format, and Pelipper's rain also powers up its Water-type attacks. Early-game pressure from Golduck also makes it easier for Pelipper to set up Tailwind for subsequent turns.
* Grass-types such as Kartana and Tapu Bulu are good partners to Pelipper, as they can switch in on any Electric-type attacks directed at it and immediately threaten the foe.
* Ground-types like Garchomp and Krookodile can also switch in on Electric-type attacks and are free to use Earthquake next to Pelipper due to its Flying typing.
* Electric-types such as Alolan Raichu, Tapu Koko, and Xurkitree are useful to take on any bulky Water-types that your opponent brought to tackle the rain.
* Teammates that can take on other weather setters are also appreciated, as Pelipper has a difficult time dealing with most of them. Fire- and Rock-types like Arcanine and Nihilego are useful against hail and sun teams, while the Grass-types mentioned above are useful against sand and opposing rain teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Hydro Pump can be used if you want even more damage output on Pelipper, but its accuracy makes it unreliable.
* Ice Beam is an option if you want Pelipper to hit Ground- and Dragon-types harder, but it is significantly weaker on targets neutral to both Ice Beam and Hurricane.
* Pelipper can be built to be more bulky, as it has access to Roost to stay around a lot longer, but its mediocre defenses leave much to be desired.
* Wide Guard can be used if your team is weak to spread moves, but Pelipper finds it difficult to replace one of its other four moves with it.
* Life Orb is viable if you want Pelipper to hit even harder, though it makes it more difficult for Pelipper to set up Tailwind.
* Lastly, Pelipper can also be used as more of a supporter, using much more defensive EVs and a Sitrus berry, which could be useful if you want Pelipper to stick around for a longer time. On a set like this, you could also use Roost or U-turn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Any Electric-type move will either OHKO Pelipper or knock it down to its Focus Sash, and Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Raichu can outspeed Pelipper before it gets a chance to move. They also take reduced damage from Hurricane and can take advantage of the rain with an accurate Thunder.
**Opposing Weather**: Most other weather setters have a good matchup against Pelipper. Ninetales and Vanilluxe hit it back hard with Freeze-Dry, and their hail can break Pelipper's Focus Sash. Torkoal is slower than Pelipper normally, meaning the sun will be up if they are both used to lead. Gigalith has titanic Special Defense under sand, especially if it is also carrying an Assault Vest, a common item on it, and its Rock-type moves hit Pelipper super effectively.
**Gastrodon**: Storm Drain makes Gastrodon an incredibly effective counter to rain teams, and it can completely cripple the popular Pelipper + Golduck pairing.
**Trick Room**: Trick Room Pokemon are usually very bulky and won't be OHKOed by Pelipper's attacks, and Trick Room itself can turn any advantage gained from Tailwind into a liability. Porygon2 can survive being attacked by both Pelipper and its partner on the same turn, set Trick Room, and hit back hard with Thunderbolt.
**Goodra**: Possessing titanic special bulk and an expansive movepool, Goodra can tank anything that rain teams can throw at it and deal huge damage back with a Thunderbolt or Power Whip.
* Pelipper is a good rain setter either on a dedicated rain duo or by itself due to its typing and movepool, and it can also be used to eliminate opposing weather.
* It has good dual STAB moves in Scald and Hurricane, keeping it a threat instead of something your opponent can ignore and take advantage of, and the rain boosts its Scalds to be even stronger.
* It also has access to Tailwind, which provides the rest of the team with speed control.
* Pelipper is relatively frail and has a quadruple weakness to Electric-type moves, making it more frail than Politoed, another potential rain setter.
* The rain archetype in general is very offensive, relying on outspeeding and dealing heavy damage to the opposing team without taking much damage in return. It can sweep through unprepared teams, but well-prepared opponents will have an easier time dealing with it.
[SET]
name: Offensive Rain Setter
move 1: Scald
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald and Hurricane are the go-to STAB moves of choice, providing strong offensive coverage that can hit many Pokemon for at least neutral effectiveness. Hurricane is also perfectly accurate in rain, which could help against opposing Pokemon that try to increase their evasion.
* Tailwind lets Pelipper support its team in scenarios where its attacks wouldn't hit very hard, so its teammates can start dealing more damage first.
* Protect lets Pelipper survive opposing attacks that might KO it or break its Focus Sash, so it can survive longer.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs are used to make Pelipper as fast and as offensive as possible, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in HP.
* Pelipper doesn't really need a Timid nature to outspeed anything significant, and it can boost its Speed with Tailwind anyway, so the extra power that Modest provides is appreciated.
* Drizzle is mandatory for Pelipper to do its job, and it is the only thing that makes Pelipper viable.
* Focus Sash is necessary for Pelipper to set Tailwind more reliably and can even set it in the face of strong Electric-type attackers, letting Pelipper outspeed them afterwards.
Usage Tips
========
* Pelipper is a good lead, as its Focus Sash lets it ensure that it gets up Tailwind early on unless it is double targeted. Once Tailwind is up, you can continue hitting the foes hard with Pelipper or switch it out to let its teammates take full advantage of the increased Speed.
* Use Protect to block Fake Out and being double-targeted.
* Be wary of opposing Pokemon with Trick Room, as Tailwind under Trick Room makes your Pokemon even more vulnerable.
* Opposing weathers can be an issue. If an opposing team is well-prepared for rain offense, you can just use Pelipper as more of a support Pokemon to set Tailwind and hit opposing Pokemon with rain-boosted Scalds. Opponents are likely to bring their own form of weather to counter yours. Take note of the Speed of the other weather setters, and if you think Pelipper will outspeed them, don't lead with it so you can switch it in later.
Team Options
========
* Golduck is a fantastic partner to Pelipper, as Golduck is the best Swift Swim user in the format, and Pelipper's rain also powers up its Water-type attacks. Early-game pressure from Golduck also makes it easier for Pelipper to set up Tailwind for subsequent turns.
* Grass-types such as Kartana and Tapu Bulu are good partners to Pelipper, as they can switch in on any Electric-type attacks directed at it and immediately threaten the foe.
* Ground-types like Garchomp and Krookodile can also switch in on Electric-type attacks and are free to use Earthquake next to Pelipper due to its Flying typing.
* Electric-types such as Alolan Raichu, Tapu Koko, and Xurkitree are useful to take on any bulky Water-types that your opponent brought to tackle the rain.
* Teammates that can take on other weather setters are also appreciated, as Pelipper has a difficult time dealing with most of them. Fire- and Rock-types like Arcanine and Nihilego are useful against hail and sun teams, while the Grass-types mentioned above are useful against sand and opposing rain teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Hydro Pump can be used if you want even more damage output on Pelipper, but its accuracy makes it unreliable.
* Ice Beam is an option if you want Pelipper to hit Ground- and Dragon-types harder, but it is significantly weaker on targets neutral to both Ice Beam and Hurricane.
* Pelipper can be built to be more bulky, as it has access to Roost to stay around a lot longer, but its mediocre defenses leave much to be desired.
* Wide Guard can be used if your team is weak to spread moves, but Pelipper finds it difficult to replace one of its other four moves with it.
* Life Orb is viable if you want Pelipper to hit even harder, though it makes it more difficult for Pelipper to set up Tailwind.
* Lastly, Pelipper can also be used as more of a supporter, using much more defensive EVs and a Sitrus berry, which could be useful if you want Pelipper to stick around for a longer time. On a set like this, you could also use Roost or U-turn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Any Electric-type move will either OHKO Pelipper or knock it down to its Focus Sash, and Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Raichu can outspeed Pelipper before it gets a chance to move. They also take reduced damage from Hurricane and can take advantage of the rain with an accurate Thunder.
**Opposing Weather**: Most other weather setters have a good matchup against Pelipper. Ninetales and Vanilluxe hit it back hard with Freeze-Dry, and their hail can break Pelipper's Focus Sash. Torkoal is slower than Pelipper normally, meaning the sun will be up if they are both used to lead. Gigalith has titanic Special Defense under sand, especially if it is also carrying an Assault Vest, a common item on it, and its Rock-type moves hit Pelipper super effectively.
**Gastrodon**: Storm Drain makes Gastrodon an incredibly effective counter to rain teams, and it can completely cripple the popular Pelipper + Golduck pairing.
**Trick Room**: Trick Room Pokemon are usually very bulky and won't be OHKOed by Pelipper's attacks, and Trick Room itself can turn any advantage gained from Tailwind into a liability. Porygon2 can survive being attacked by both Pelipper and its partner on the same turn, set Trick Room, and hit back hard with Thunderbolt.
**Goodra**: Possessing titanic special bulk and an expansive movepool, Goodra can tank anything that rain teams can throw at it and deal huge damage back with a Thunderbolt or Power Whip.
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