[OVERVIEW]
Politoed is one of the most prominent Pokemon in BW OU for one reason: its ability to put permanent rain on the field. This alone makes it one of the best support Pokemon in the metagame, as it brings out the full potential of Pokemon such as Keldeo, Tentacruel, Tornadus, and Thundurus-T. In addition, Politoed is capable of spreading status around the opposing team, allowing you to wear it down far more easily. Politoed's main shortcoming is its middling stats, as it is not capable of dishing out or soaking up significant amounts of damage. Its mediocre defensive stats are exacerbated by its vulnerability to all types of entry hazards and lack of reliable recovery.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Protect
move 3: Refresh
move 4: Encore / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Drizzle
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald packs a decent punch when boosted by rain. One of its most important aspects, though, is its burn chance, meaning it can cripple Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel that can't afford to be chipped down. Protect allows Politoed to stall for additional Leftovers recovery and burn or Toxic damage. In addition, it can be used to scout Choice-locked Pokemon such as Latios, allowing you to play around them more safely. The last two moveslots depend on your personal preference and team. Refresh is an excellent move to help deal with Pokemon such as Tentacruel, Heatran, and opposing Politoed that spread status, allowing your Politoed to stay in the game longer. Notably, it allows you to use Politoed as your main switch-in to opposing Scalds so that you do not need to risk Politoed's teammates being burned. Encore is an option to deal with Pokemon such as Calm Mind Reuniclus and Substitute Breloom, which otherwise set up on Politoed for free. Toxic can be used to cripple Politoed's other switch-ins such as Latios, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Note that while running Toxic + Encore is viable, it leaves Politoed worn down very quickly by passive damage such as status, sand, and entry hazards, and thus Politoed will require more caution switching into status users.
Set Details
========
Leftovers improves Politoed's longevity and alleviates its vulnerability to entry hazards. A specially defensive EV spread allows Politoed to take hits from the numerous powerful special attackers in BW, such as Latios, Reuniclus, and Alakazam, and allows it to better handle chip damage from moves like Rotom-W's Volt Switch. Running additional Speed EVs is an option to get the jump on slower Breloom variants and use Encore against them, as Breloom can quickly become a problem for rain teams.
Usage Tips
========
Politoed's primary objective in a game is to avoid being KOed and keep rain up. Therefore, it is critical to be mindful of its HP. That said, rain teams tend to be more offensive in nature, so it is likely that Politoed will be called upon to act as a temporary buffer against opposing threats. Take care when using Protect or Encore, as either can give a free switch to an opposing Tyranitar, both replacing rain with sand and giving Tyranitar a chance to use Pursuit on Politoed, which can go a long way in winning the weather war. As it runs Protect, Politoed is great at scouting Choice item users such as Latios and Keldeo, so you can double switch Politoed into them and play around them. Feel free to use Scald liberally, as the chip damage even without a burn can be significant, and landing a burn can be huge against Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Latios, and Rotom-W.
Team Options
========
A great many Pokemon pair well with Politoed's rain. Politoed's best partner is arguably Tentacruel, which becomes one of the most difficult to KO Pokemon in the game when rain is active thanks to Rain Dish and is almost mandatory on rain teams. Tentacruel can use Rapid Spin to clear entry hazards, improving the longevity of its entire team, and has similar switch-ins to Politoed, meaning they can wear down each other's checks with repeated Scalds and Toxics. Toxicroak is another Pokemon that greatly benefits from rain healing it, and it is an excellent counter to opposing rain teams. Tentacruel and Toxicroak are both solid switch-ins to opposing Keldeo as well, which can cause tremendous damage under rain. Ferrothorn and Jirachi have their Fire weaknesses reduced by rain, can set up entry hazards, and are great switch-ins to opposing Dragon-types such as Latios that can do major damage otherwise. Ferrothorn can also use Knock Off to remove the Leftovers of other Pokemon, most notably other Ferrothorn, making it easier for your offensive Pokemon to break through them and for Politoed and Tentacruel to chip them down with Scalds and burns. Breloom also has its Fire weakness alleviated by rain, and it can switch into Pokemon such as Rotom-W that threaten Politoed and notably pairs well with Jirachi. The most prominent offensive teammate for Politoed is Keldeo, which becomes an immensely powerful wallbreaker with Choice Specs or a great cleaner with Choice Scarf, and it can run other sets to take advantage of Politoed's rain as well. Starmie and Gyarados are also Pokemon that can take advantage of the power boost to Water-type moves granted by Politoed's rain. Thundurus-T and Tornadus have perfect accuracy with Thunder and Hurricane, respectively, in rain, and both Pokemon can force damage onto an opposing Tyranitar, helping keep rain up. They can also provide some defensive utility, switching into Ground-types such as Excadrill and Landorus-T. Latios is another Pokemon that is found on a large number of rain teams, checking opposing Keldeo and Thundurus-T, crippling Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Reuniclus with Trick, and overall causing mayhem for the opposing team with its powerful attacks. In addition, its Surf is powered up by rain, making Surf a valuable tool for late-game cleaning, and it benefits from Pokemon like Thundurus-T and Tornadus weakening Tyranitar. Dragonite appreciates the removal of sand and the reliable spinning that Tentacruel provides, which let it make better use of Multiscale with its Choice Band, mixed attacker, and Substitute + Dragon Dance sets. Kyurem and Kyurem-B also appreciate the removal of sand and are capable of switching into Grass- and Electric-types that threaten Politoed to force them out. Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Mamoswine can check Thundurus-T and set up Stealth Rock. Mamoswine can also pick off Dragon-types such as Dragonite and Latios with Ice Shard, and it takes little from Ice-type attacks thanks to Thick Fat, making it a decent offensive check to a weakened Thundurus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Politoed can run Defense EVs to serve as a switch-in to Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Excadrill, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar and reduce Pursuit damage, but its Special Defense is often more valuable to allow it to handle Pokemon such as Latios, Reuniclus, and Alakazam. Ice Beam is an option to damage Pokemon such as Breloom, Latios, and Dragonite on the switch, but it is hard to fit onto a set and these Pokemon are better handled by Politoed's teammates anyway. Perish Song puts Pokemon such as Calm Mind Reuniclus and Substitute + Dragon Dance Dragonite on a timer and can be used to force out other Pokemon, but it isn't as immediately effective as Encore. An offensive set with Special Attack EVs, a Modest nature, and an item such as Water Gem—with Thief to steal a Leftovers after using the Gem—is an option to surprise the opponent and deal heavy damage with a powerful Hydro Pump. However, it significantly compromises Politoed's bulk and longevity, and, as not fainting is the name of the game with Politoed, it is not recommended. A Choice Scarf set can be used to surprise and outspeed an opposing Pokemon and KO them, acting as a decent cleaner late-game and crippling Pokemon with a fast Encore, but it compromises Politoed's longevity and Politoed isn't really fast or strong enough to be a good Choice Scarf user anyway. A Choice Specs set can be used to deal heavy damage out of the gate with Hydro Pump, but it sacrifices longevity and there are better wallbreakers for rain teams anyway. Both Choice Scarf and Choice Specs can leave Politoed extremely vulnerable to Pursuit, making it tougher to keep rain up over the course of a game. A Rest + Chesto Berry set can be run, but it sacrifices a moveslot and the passive recovery of Leftovers, and Rest can only be used once without sacrificing a significant amount of momentum. Custap Berry can also be run with Endeavor to catch the opponent off-guard and significantly cripple a Pokemon, but it lacks consistency. Focus Blast and Fighting Gem can be used to hit Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Tyranitar hard and give solid neutral coverage otherwise. In addition, Psychic can be used to hit Tentacruel, Breloom, and Toxicroak, but it is hard to justify over Politoed's other moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Weather Changers**: Ninetales can switch into Politoed's Scald relatively easily and replaces rain with sun, nullifying Politoed's main supportive capability. Tyranitar and Hippowdon also change the weather in addition to canceling out Politoed's Leftovers recovery, and Tyranitar can also use Pursuit to quickly wear Politoed down, but they can't enter directly into a Scald.
**Grass-types**: Poison Heal Breloom and Celebi can switch into boosted Water-type attacks without taking much damage. In addition, they don't fear a Scald burn or Toxic and can use Politoed as setup fodder. Ferrothorn is immune to Toxic, scares out Politoed with Power Whip, and can set up entry hazards in its face. Amoonguss is immune to Toxic and can scare it out with Giga Drain. However, Ferrothorn and Amoonguss both hate being burned by Scald.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types such as Latios, Hydreigon, and Kyurem-B take little from Scald and can respond with their powerful STAB moves. Dragonite can threaten Politoed immediately with a Choice Band Outrage or set up with its Substitute + Dragon Dance set. Latias and Kyurem can use Politoed as setup fodder for Calm Mind or Substitute, respectively. However, none of them appreciate a Scald burn, Toxic, or Encore.
**Water-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Jellicent and Gastrodon are immune to Scald, can wall Politoed that are not carrying Toxic, and can cripple it with Taunt or Will-O-Wisp in Jellicent's case or Toxic in Gastrodon's. Seismitoad can wall Politoed all day, as it often runs Refresh, and can cripple Politoed with Toxic, Knock Off, or a Scald burn. Toxicroak is immune to Scald and Toxic, but it needs to be careful of Encore.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Thundurus-T and Rotom-W can deal heavy damage to Politoed with their STAB moves. In addition, Rotom-W can switch into Politoed relatively safely, as it resists Water.
**Status-resistant Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Chansey, Blissey, and Celebi take little from Scald and can shrug off burns or Toxic with Natural Cure or Aromatherapy. Reuniclus, thanks to Magic Guard, takes no damage from status and can set up on Politoed lacking Encore or attack it directly if running Thunder. Defensive Starmie and Milotic resist Scald and can shrug off any status with Recover + Natural Cure or Refresh, respectively.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ununhexium, 214836]]
- Quality checked by: [[Caetano93, 394051], [Finchinator, 114198]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Rabia, 336073]]
Politoed is one of the most prominent Pokemon in BW OU for one reason: its ability to put permanent rain on the field. This alone makes it one of the best support Pokemon in the metagame, as it brings out the full potential of Pokemon such as Keldeo, Tentacruel, Tornadus, and Thundurus-T. In addition, Politoed is capable of spreading status around the opposing team, allowing you to wear it down far more easily. Politoed's main shortcoming is its middling stats, as it is not capable of dishing out or soaking up significant amounts of damage. Its mediocre defensive stats are exacerbated by its vulnerability to all types of entry hazards and lack of reliable recovery.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Protect
move 3: Refresh
move 4: Encore / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Drizzle
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald packs a decent punch when boosted by rain. One of its most important aspects, though, is its burn chance, meaning it can cripple Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel that can't afford to be chipped down. Protect allows Politoed to stall for additional Leftovers recovery and burn or Toxic damage. In addition, it can be used to scout Choice-locked Pokemon such as Latios, allowing you to play around them more safely. The last two moveslots depend on your personal preference and team. Refresh is an excellent move to help deal with Pokemon such as Tentacruel, Heatran, and opposing Politoed that spread status, allowing your Politoed to stay in the game longer. Notably, it allows you to use Politoed as your main switch-in to opposing Scalds so that you do not need to risk Politoed's teammates being burned. Encore is an option to deal with Pokemon such as Calm Mind Reuniclus and Substitute Breloom, which otherwise set up on Politoed for free. Toxic can be used to cripple Politoed's other switch-ins such as Latios, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Note that while running Toxic + Encore is viable, it leaves Politoed worn down very quickly by passive damage such as status, sand, and entry hazards, and thus Politoed will require more caution switching into status users.
Set Details
========
Leftovers improves Politoed's longevity and alleviates its vulnerability to entry hazards. A specially defensive EV spread allows Politoed to take hits from the numerous powerful special attackers in BW, such as Latios, Reuniclus, and Alakazam, and allows it to better handle chip damage from moves like Rotom-W's Volt Switch. Running additional Speed EVs is an option to get the jump on slower Breloom variants and use Encore against them, as Breloom can quickly become a problem for rain teams.
Usage Tips
========
Politoed's primary objective in a game is to avoid being KOed and keep rain up. Therefore, it is critical to be mindful of its HP. That said, rain teams tend to be more offensive in nature, so it is likely that Politoed will be called upon to act as a temporary buffer against opposing threats. Take care when using Protect or Encore, as either can give a free switch to an opposing Tyranitar, both replacing rain with sand and giving Tyranitar a chance to use Pursuit on Politoed, which can go a long way in winning the weather war. As it runs Protect, Politoed is great at scouting Choice item users such as Latios and Keldeo, so you can double switch Politoed into them and play around them. Feel free to use Scald liberally, as the chip damage even without a burn can be significant, and landing a burn can be huge against Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Latios, and Rotom-W.
Team Options
========
A great many Pokemon pair well with Politoed's rain. Politoed's best partner is arguably Tentacruel, which becomes one of the most difficult to KO Pokemon in the game when rain is active thanks to Rain Dish and is almost mandatory on rain teams. Tentacruel can use Rapid Spin to clear entry hazards, improving the longevity of its entire team, and has similar switch-ins to Politoed, meaning they can wear down each other's checks with repeated Scalds and Toxics. Toxicroak is another Pokemon that greatly benefits from rain healing it, and it is an excellent counter to opposing rain teams. Tentacruel and Toxicroak are both solid switch-ins to opposing Keldeo as well, which can cause tremendous damage under rain. Ferrothorn and Jirachi have their Fire weaknesses reduced by rain, can set up entry hazards, and are great switch-ins to opposing Dragon-types such as Latios that can do major damage otherwise. Ferrothorn can also use Knock Off to remove the Leftovers of other Pokemon, most notably other Ferrothorn, making it easier for your offensive Pokemon to break through them and for Politoed and Tentacruel to chip them down with Scalds and burns. Breloom also has its Fire weakness alleviated by rain, and it can switch into Pokemon such as Rotom-W that threaten Politoed and notably pairs well with Jirachi. The most prominent offensive teammate for Politoed is Keldeo, which becomes an immensely powerful wallbreaker with Choice Specs or a great cleaner with Choice Scarf, and it can run other sets to take advantage of Politoed's rain as well. Starmie and Gyarados are also Pokemon that can take advantage of the power boost to Water-type moves granted by Politoed's rain. Thundurus-T and Tornadus have perfect accuracy with Thunder and Hurricane, respectively, in rain, and both Pokemon can force damage onto an opposing Tyranitar, helping keep rain up. They can also provide some defensive utility, switching into Ground-types such as Excadrill and Landorus-T. Latios is another Pokemon that is found on a large number of rain teams, checking opposing Keldeo and Thundurus-T, crippling Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Reuniclus with Trick, and overall causing mayhem for the opposing team with its powerful attacks. In addition, its Surf is powered up by rain, making Surf a valuable tool for late-game cleaning, and it benefits from Pokemon like Thundurus-T and Tornadus weakening Tyranitar. Dragonite appreciates the removal of sand and the reliable spinning that Tentacruel provides, which let it make better use of Multiscale with its Choice Band, mixed attacker, and Substitute + Dragon Dance sets. Kyurem and Kyurem-B also appreciate the removal of sand and are capable of switching into Grass- and Electric-types that threaten Politoed to force them out. Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Mamoswine can check Thundurus-T and set up Stealth Rock. Mamoswine can also pick off Dragon-types such as Dragonite and Latios with Ice Shard, and it takes little from Ice-type attacks thanks to Thick Fat, making it a decent offensive check to a weakened Thundurus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Politoed can run Defense EVs to serve as a switch-in to Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Excadrill, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar and reduce Pursuit damage, but its Special Defense is often more valuable to allow it to handle Pokemon such as Latios, Reuniclus, and Alakazam. Ice Beam is an option to damage Pokemon such as Breloom, Latios, and Dragonite on the switch, but it is hard to fit onto a set and these Pokemon are better handled by Politoed's teammates anyway. Perish Song puts Pokemon such as Calm Mind Reuniclus and Substitute + Dragon Dance Dragonite on a timer and can be used to force out other Pokemon, but it isn't as immediately effective as Encore. An offensive set with Special Attack EVs, a Modest nature, and an item such as Water Gem—with Thief to steal a Leftovers after using the Gem—is an option to surprise the opponent and deal heavy damage with a powerful Hydro Pump. However, it significantly compromises Politoed's bulk and longevity, and, as not fainting is the name of the game with Politoed, it is not recommended. A Choice Scarf set can be used to surprise and outspeed an opposing Pokemon and KO them, acting as a decent cleaner late-game and crippling Pokemon with a fast Encore, but it compromises Politoed's longevity and Politoed isn't really fast or strong enough to be a good Choice Scarf user anyway. A Choice Specs set can be used to deal heavy damage out of the gate with Hydro Pump, but it sacrifices longevity and there are better wallbreakers for rain teams anyway. Both Choice Scarf and Choice Specs can leave Politoed extremely vulnerable to Pursuit, making it tougher to keep rain up over the course of a game. A Rest + Chesto Berry set can be run, but it sacrifices a moveslot and the passive recovery of Leftovers, and Rest can only be used once without sacrificing a significant amount of momentum. Custap Berry can also be run with Endeavor to catch the opponent off-guard and significantly cripple a Pokemon, but it lacks consistency. Focus Blast and Fighting Gem can be used to hit Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Tyranitar hard and give solid neutral coverage otherwise. In addition, Psychic can be used to hit Tentacruel, Breloom, and Toxicroak, but it is hard to justify over Politoed's other moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Weather Changers**: Ninetales can switch into Politoed's Scald relatively easily and replaces rain with sun, nullifying Politoed's main supportive capability. Tyranitar and Hippowdon also change the weather in addition to canceling out Politoed's Leftovers recovery, and Tyranitar can also use Pursuit to quickly wear Politoed down, but they can't enter directly into a Scald.
**Grass-types**: Poison Heal Breloom and Celebi can switch into boosted Water-type attacks without taking much damage. In addition, they don't fear a Scald burn or Toxic and can use Politoed as setup fodder. Ferrothorn is immune to Toxic, scares out Politoed with Power Whip, and can set up entry hazards in its face. Amoonguss is immune to Toxic and can scare it out with Giga Drain. However, Ferrothorn and Amoonguss both hate being burned by Scald.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types such as Latios, Hydreigon, and Kyurem-B take little from Scald and can respond with their powerful STAB moves. Dragonite can threaten Politoed immediately with a Choice Band Outrage or set up with its Substitute + Dragon Dance set. Latias and Kyurem can use Politoed as setup fodder for Calm Mind or Substitute, respectively. However, none of them appreciate a Scald burn, Toxic, or Encore.
**Water-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Jellicent and Gastrodon are immune to Scald, can wall Politoed that are not carrying Toxic, and can cripple it with Taunt or Will-O-Wisp in Jellicent's case or Toxic in Gastrodon's. Seismitoad can wall Politoed all day, as it often runs Refresh, and can cripple Politoed with Toxic, Knock Off, or a Scald burn. Toxicroak is immune to Scald and Toxic, but it needs to be careful of Encore.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Thundurus-T and Rotom-W can deal heavy damage to Politoed with their STAB moves. In addition, Rotom-W can switch into Politoed relatively safely, as it resists Water.
**Status-resistant Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Chansey, Blissey, and Celebi take little from Scald and can shrug off burns or Toxic with Natural Cure or Aromatherapy. Reuniclus, thanks to Magic Guard, takes no damage from status and can set up on Politoed lacking Encore or attack it directly if running Thunder. Defensive Starmie and Milotic resist Scald and can shrug off any status with Recover + Natural Cure or Refresh, respectively.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ununhexium, 214836]]
- Quality checked by: [[Caetano93, 394051], [Finchinator, 114198]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Rabia, 336073]]
Last edited:
