[Overview]
<p>Seismitoad is one of those Pokemon with lots of wasted potential. While Seismitoad has decent 105 / 75 / 75 defenses and access to Sleep Talk, it doesn't really have the movepool to run a defensive set. In addition, Seismitoad has very mediocre offensive stats and a pretty poor movepool in general. While it has access to decent STAB moves in Hydro Pump and Earthquake, Seismitoad is one of the few Water-type Pokemon that doesn't get Ice Beam, severely limiting its coverage. Being one of the few NU Pokemon with Swift Swim, Seismitoad has some potential when aided by Rain Dance support. However, even down in NU, Seismitoad is largely outclassed by other offensive Water-type Pokemon, namely Gorebyss and Carracosta, and will most likely remain in obscurity.</p>
[SET]
name: Swift Swim Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Sludge Wave / Hidden Power Ice
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is Seismitoad's best shot at sweeping, especially if the opposing team's walls are weakened. Rain Dance activates Swift Swim, which doubles Seismitoad's Speed, for five turns, allowing it to outspeed almost all of NU. Thanks to its typing, which grants it resistances to many common attacking types, Seismitoad usually has an easy time setting up a Rain Dance. Hydro Pump and Earth Power are Seismitoad's best STAB attacks, and a rain-boosted Hydro Pump will hurt a ton of Pokemon, even when coming off from Seismitoad's mediocre base 85 Special Attack. Surf can be used over Hydro Pump for more accuracy, but Seismitoad really needs all of the extra power it can get. The fourth moveslot is mainly for coverage. Sludge Wave gives Seismitoad a way to hit Grass-type Pokemon for super effective damage. Hidden Power Ice can be used instead to defeat Altaria, who can easily tank all of Seismitoad's other attacks.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>With 160 Speed EVs, Seismitoad can outpace Choice Scarf Rotom-A in the rain. 252 Special Attack EVs and a Modest nature give it the much-needed power, and the remaining EVs are dumped into HP to give Seismitoad a bit of bulk. Focus Blast or Grass Knot can be used in the fourth moveslot to hit Miltank or bulky Water-types respectively, but they don't offer any spectacular coverage.<p>
<p>Seismitoad lacks coverage, and really needs help in taking down some threats, such as Amoonguss and Altaria, depending on its coverage moves. Amoonguus can be handled by Flying-types, mainly Swellow, who doesn't fear Spore, while specially defensive Altaria is walled by Bastiodon and other Steel-types. Bulky Water-types also pose a threat, as Seismitoad cannot muscle through them with its mediocre power. A Grass-type Pokemon of your own, such as Cacturne, can easily help with that. Cacturne can also lay down Spikes to help net some KOs that Seismitoad would otherwise miss out on. An interesting teammate option for Seismitoad is Gorebyss, who can abuse the rain with Swift Swim for an easier time to sweep.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Seismitoad is one of the few Pokemon introduced in BW that was blessed with the move Sleep Talk. However, because of its poor support movepool, Seismitoad is very inadequate as a bulky Water-type. Seismitoad could run a mixed Rain Dance sweeper set with Earthquake instead of Earth Power, but Seismitoad does not really have the offensive stats to pull that set off. Seismitoad could also run a Choice Specs set in order to patch its low Special Attack stat, but there are other Pokemon that can do it better, and Seismitoad finds itself easily walled when using a Choice item.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Amoonguss is probably the best counter to Seismitoad, as it takes little to nothing from all of Seismitoad's attacks, even Hidden Power Ice, and can threaten with Spore or just OHKO with Giga Drain. If Seismitoad lacks Hidden Power Ice, then specially defensive Altaria can easily handle Seismitoad. In addition, any faster offensive Pokemon with a Grass-type move can take down Seismitoad, but some, such as Magmortar, need to be wary of the rain, as Seismitoad will outspeed and OHKO Magmortar. Defensively, most bulky Water-types can handle Seismitoad if it lacks Grass Knot.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Seismitoad gets Water Absorb through Dream World, which gives it some potential as a bulky Water-type. Until then, Seismitoad shall remain a less-than-average Rain Dance sweeper.
