Weather in NU

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Weather teams are rather unique though simple playstyles. There are 4 types of weather, 3 of which are rather viable in NU. This thread will discuss all 4 types of weather, and how they fair in the metagame.
Notable Weather Abusers are in bold. Pokemon that can work outside their weather are in italics.
(Images and sets will be added later)

Weather setters:
Most weather teams need a Pokemon to set-up the weather. Pokemon with the ability Prankster such as Liepard and Meowstic work. And bulky setters like Regirock and Uxie also work well (As they have moves like Explosion and Memento to help bring in a sweeper). Some abusers can set-up weather for the team as well (Such as Ludicolo in rain teams). Sand and Hail have auto inducers, though both are useless on their own. Volbeat can use Baton Pass to safely bring a sweeper after setting up weather, and also has Prankster giving it priority. If that's not your thing, it can also use a Slow U-Turn which also safely brings in a sweeper. However, Volbeat is high risk as a Sun Setter due to his Fire weakness, and as such he's better used for setting up rain.
Rain:
Swift Swim Users: Floatzel, Gorebyss, Huntail, Ludicolo, Lumineon, Luvdisc, Mantine, Relicanth, Seaking, Seismitoad, Qwilfish, Armaldo, Beartic, Carracosta, Golduck, Omastar, Poliwrath (NFEs too)
Other notable Pokemon on rain teams: Swanna, Jynx, Vivillon, Electric-types, Parasect, Phione
Weather Setters: Regice, Uxie, Ludicolo, Prankster Users

Rain is often considered the best weather in the higher tiers, and this remains true here. Though there is no auto-inducer, Rain is fairly easy to keep up and a lot of abusers are very good sweepers.
Swift Swimmers:
Ludicolo is generally seen on most Rain-types for it's ability to deal with other Swift Swimmers (Most anyway). It always works fairly well on non-rain teams as well. Mantine can deal with Grass-types due to it's Flying-STAB, which may be useful on some teams. Omastar and Carracosta can set-up Shell Smashes a bit faster, and both can work when rain is done as well. Qwilfish is a rather unique Swift Swim user because it is physically based, and can deal with Grass-types while not being weak to Rock. (Electric attacks will decimate both Mantine and Qwilfish the majority of the time) It also can set up Spikes for Rain teams which at times can be useful. Poliwrath does have a unique STAB combo which can help beat Magneton and Rotom-F, pests to Rain-teams. Seismitoad is also notable because of his Electric-immunity, though Swift Swim sets aren't the best sets for him, but they can still work. Beartic has reduced Fire-weakness and a typing to beat Grass-types, though that's it.
Other Abusers:
Swanna often received use on Rain Teams last gen because while it's speed didn't get raised, it had a nice STAB in Hurricane, and also Hydration making it easy to throw in a move like Rest for instant recovery. While it is not seen much nowadays, it can still be fairly unique and is very good when used with right support. Though being frail and having average speed. Jynx can get Recovery via the rain and counters the majority of Swift Swimmers and has a nice STAB combo. Vivillon's main use on Rain is that it has Hurricane, and can also boost with Quiver Dance, and it's Fire weakness is halved as well. Electric-types can spam Thunder though you have to keep rain up to do this. Parasect, while being very bad, can be a pretty good check to Ludicolo (Though that's it really, also gets recovery but whatever Para sucks)

Sun:
Chlorophyll Users: Sawsbuck, Vileplume, Lilligant, Shiftry, Sunflora, Bellossom, Victreebel, Tropius, Leavanny, Exeggutor, Maractus, Leafeon, Jumpluff
Other notable Pokemon on sun teams: Fire-types, Charmeleon (Not good but throwing it out there anyways), Combusken
Weather Setters: Uxie, Regirock, Prankster Users with access to Sunny Day

Sun is a bit worse than Rain, though is still fairly viable. The main problem is that the majority of the Pokemon on Sun teams are very frail. A majority of the Chloro users can still be used effectively even when Sun is over, though some (Like Victreebel) depend on Sun to be viable. Also, Chlorophyll is not the best choice for the ability on a few of these Pokemon (Most notably Vileplume because Effect Spore sets are generally better).
Cholorophyll Users:
Shiftry can provide Defog support on Sun Teams if necessary, and can also pull off all out attacking, Swords Dance and to an extent Nasty Plot sets well on Sun Teams as well. Lilligant gets Quiver Dance which with the increased Speed can be used to sweep teams (Even when Sun is over Lilligant can sweep teams effectively). Exeggutor has a unique though kinda bad defensively typing and also has the highest Special Attack stat of all Chlorophyll users, making him a bit of a devasting force. Sawsbuck is not as effective on these teams as last gen due to the Nature Power nerf, though he does have semi-unique coverage moves in Jump Kick and Megahorn, as well as his Normal-STAB. Leafeon is very similar to Sawsbuck, but has lower speed and Knock Off and X-Scissor as coverage moves instead. (Not the greatest but can still work) Victreebel has Poison-STAB which is useful for taking out other Chloro users, and also has decent special and physical potential with moves like Knock Off and Weather Ball. Unlike other users, Victreebel depends on the sun to be viable, which is a major downer.
Fire-types:
There are several usable Fire-types to use on Sun Teams. Typhlosion can fire off meaty Eruptions in the sun, Magmortar has useful coverage moves and can run Earthquake to get past Pokemon like Dragalge and Flareon. (Also due to Thunderbolt he makes a great check to Fletchinder which is a pest for Sun Teams) Pyroar is very similar to Typhlosion but has Normal STAB and more reliable Fire STAB. There are several usable physical Fire-types such as Rapidash and Flareon, which can break through Special walls in the sun. Combusken can be used in order to have a decent counter to Shiftry.

Sand:
Setters: Hippopotas (Back-up setters can work I guess?)
Sand Rush Users: Stoutland, Sandslash
Other notable Pokemon: Probopass, Cacturne, Gigalith

Sand is one of two weathers with an auto-inducer, and is decently viable despite being very uncommon. However what sucks is that Hippopotas is very useless on his own, and Stoutland kind of is if Sand is out of reach. Stoutland is a great wallbreaker on Sand teams due to his pretty decent coverage and fire power. The only other notable Sand Team member is Sandslash, which can fire STAB Earthquakes and has good coverage moves in Knock Off, X-Scissor (To an extent) and Stone Edge. Sand Force and Veil Pokemon are usable, though are often less viable than the Sand Rushers. Sand teams rely on their weather to be available to do good, however, and can be beaten by bulky means.

Hail:
Hail teams are rarely seen, and for good reason as Hail is a very poor playstyle due to the lack of great abusers (Especially with the lack of a speed boosting ability) and the fact that they are often beaten by many threats. Though, one cool thing is that Blizzard is 100% accurate, and as such, the only notable Hail abusers are Pokemon that can use this move effectively such as Rotom-F and to an extent Glaceon. Due to Ice's common weaknesses and the overall slowness of the abusers (Unless they are scarfed) it is generally easy to beat Hail though unprepared teams will get smashed hard.

So, is there any notable users I missed, and things I got wrong? (Also this may need reconstructing later, but for now i'll leave it like this) Discuss your experiences with weather teams, what your favorite sets to use on these teams, and other things relating to weather.
 
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The bad thing about weather in NU is obviously the lack of auto-setters.
When your weather runs out it's unfortunately super obvious what your next 2 turns are.
2 turns is enough to bring in a Feraligatr AND get a dance up. Same goes for Vivillon, free switch and a dance? HOT DOG!
If your team is too centered around rain, you'll fall easily without it and you'll get set up on in return.
FINAL VERDICT
It's fun but difficult to pull off in 6th gen NU and is thus unviable
 
The bad thing about weather in NU is obviously the lack of auto-setters.
When your weather runs out it's unfortunately super obvious what your next 2 turns are.
2 turns is enough to bring in a Feraligatr AND get a dance up. Same goes for Vivillon, free switch and a dance? HOT DOG!
If your team is too centered around rain, you'll fall easily without it and you'll get set up on in return.
FINAL VERDICT
It's fun but difficult to pull off in 6th gen NU and is thus unviable
Wow this is a massive understatement of weather. First of all there are auto weather setters in NU in the form of Hippopotas and Snover. Yeah sure both of these Pokemon aren't that great outside of setting up their weather but the fact remains that there are auto weather setters. However weather doesn't need auto weather setters to be good ( Well at least sun and rain don't ). Let's take Uxie for example. Uxie can set up Stealth Rock, either Sunny Day or Rain Dance and has U Turn to safely bring in a sweeper like Sawsbuck or Qwilfish which makes it an exellent weather setter. Also most weather sweepers don't really even need a turn to set up in their weather. Floatzel, Omastar, Shiftry and Victreebell are all Pokemon that don't need a turn to set up in order to be threatening. Weather is also theatening because teams usually don't have much for it. Unless you are unlucky enough to face a mono Grass team with your rain team they usually rely on one or two Pokemon to deal with rain teams. Once you muscled your way through them which is possible with the amount of power weather gives to some Pokemon then you will be able to finish of teams. All in all weather teams are honestly pretty good in NU because we have good weather setters and abusers in this tier.

Also why would you use Vivilion or Feraligatr when there are way better weather abusers.
 
Wow this is a massive understatement of weather. First of all there are auto weather setters in NU in the form of Hippopotas and Snover. Yeah sure both of these Pokemon aren't that great outside of setting up their weather but the fact remains that there are auto weather setters. However weather doesn't need auto weather setters to be good ( Well at least sun and rain don't ). Let's take Uxie for example. Uxie can set up Stealth Rock, either Sunny Day or Rain Dance and has U Turn to safely bring in a sweeper like Sawsbuck or Qwilfish which makes it an exellent weather setter. Also most weather sweepers don't really even need a turn to set up in their weather. Floatzel, Omastar, Shiftry and Victreebell are all Pokemon that don't need a turn to set up in order to be threatening. Weather is also theatening because teams usually don't have much for it. Unless you are unlucky enough to face a mono Grass team with your rain team they usually rely on one or two Pokemon to deal with rain teams. Once you muscled your way through them which is possible with the amount of power weather gives to some Pokemon then you will be able to finish of teams. All in all weather teams are honestly pretty good in NU because we have good weather setters and abusers in this tier.

Also why would you use Vivilion or Feraligatr when there are way better weather abusers.
The main issue is the obvious 2 turns tho
If the switch isn't obvious, the weather is and it's a free switch for your opponent
 
You don't always have to set up your weather when it ends, weather teams usually have a way to play without it (or at least they should).

Also it's only 1 turn for sand, so sand is best weather confirmed.
 
A small structure would be nice like categorizing weather setter, abuser etc for each weather and maybe making some important things bold or underlined.

We have some really reliable weather setters aspecially for offensive weather like Uxie that can allow safe switch-ins and even momentum, in case your opponent switches out.
Hail is by far the least viable weather...not even worth mentioning IMO
 
Main issues for weather:

Priority
Weather running out (obv)

Weather is forced to:

Let mons die to save sweepers
Get sun back up often - and as mentioned at predictable times

I run a sun team when i feel like having a bit of fun and it'll either sweep or get stopped cold.
Fairly similar to the sun teams you may have seen a little last gen - bulky setter, priority setter, a tank and 3 sun abusers

Super fun, basically revolves around leading with Uxie for rocks and sun - then memento to let in an abuser
Hariyama exists to tank stuff that sweepers can't ohko, useful vs fire (typhlosion), ice and sucker punch
Liepard resets weather and dies

Probably not that optimal, but it keeps my alt that I use it on a lot (Too Fearsome) around mid-1400s and it's fun.

Here's the pastebin if you wanna use it http://pastebin.com/rcb4MvH2
 
I think sun is better than rain in the metagame right now. Things like Dragalge, Ferroseed and Cryogonal give rain teams a hard time. In comparison there are a fewer checks to sun boosted Fire blast /Solar beam. And with Sleep power and Willo-wisp, they can also dodge Sucker Punches.

EDIT: For sun don't forget Combusken! Random Chlorophyll Shiftry can be a dick sometimes and combusken checks / semi-counters it. Its also good on its own and its SD can sweep even if the sun goes down.
 
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For rain, don't forget Swanna who while doesn't have Swift Swim is arguably one of the best abusers of the weather that NU has access to.
 
Pranksters are better for weather setup tho imo...Uxie is good as a backup setter but it risks being Taunted upfront by stuff like Qwilfish
 

scorpdestroyer

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Generally when using Uxie you want to run as little speed as possible as this takes advantage of a slow U-turn to bring in sweepers safely. Uxie is a good weather setter mainly because of this + access to Stealth Rock. Sure you could run Speed but I don't see the point (fast Memento I guess?) and weather Uxie is a little strapped for moves as it is.

I don't know why there's an argument between the different weather setters stated above since they all have their perks and it probably isn't fair to say one is better than another. Uxie is good for the reasons I mentioned above; Volbeat is good because it has Prankster weather + Encore + slow U-turn; Regirock is good because it beats things like Kangaskhan and gets up rocks and can potentially explode. Of course there are other great setters; Liepard is one of them, with a nifty Knock Off and nice perks such as Prankster Encore, and of course, our dear little Hippopotas, who despite being almost useless can at least summon auto Sand and use SR!

Regarding Swanna, I think it has gotten a lot worse this gen. 97 Speed is not good now and in BW its dual STABs were completely unresisted and it could muscle through stuff. In XY 97 Speed is considered below average for a frail Pokemon like Swanna, and Lanturn has come in to spoil Swanna's STAB fun. I'd probably use Mantine instead which might have less power but makes up for it with more Speed and its ability to take a few priority hits with decent natural bulk.

In other news, please don't post one liners like the ones above because they look stupid.

On an unrelated note, has anybody tried out Snover yet? In theory it is kinda bad but Snover can possibly run a specially defensive set to take hits from Ludicolo, Omastar, Jynx, and similar stuff, while supplying teammates with Blizzard. Sounds bad in theory but perhaps it isn't in practice. If anybody has tried it out, weather or not it worked out, please share your experiences :]
 

Shuckleking87

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is a Tiering Contributor Alumnus
On an unrelated note, has anybody tried out Snover yet? In theory it is kinda bad but Snover can possibly run a specially defensive set to take hits from Ludicolo, Omastar, Jynx, and similar stuff, while supplying teammates with Blizzard. Sounds bad in theory but perhaps it isn't in practice. If anybody has tried it out, weather or not it worked out, please share your experiences :]
I believe UU is on the verge of making snow warning BL, so you might not have much of a chance to try Snover besides soundproof. And Mantine>swanna. #oneliners
 
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can't wait for Custap Berry then another awesome weather setter will Be sturdy Golem@ Custap Berry SR/Sunny Day/Explosion
 
scorpdestroyer Well, Uxie doesn't need to be running max speed. It still outspeeds common slow taunters that would otherwise prevent the weather being set up. In general really, I would just say Uxie has the best utility of them all. Volbeat can get the weather up, sure, but that is its only purpose. It just gets killed by anything afterwards. Regirock can get up Stealth Rocks and Thunder Wave things, just like Uxie, but then the difference lies on what really supports rain and sun teams the best. Light Screen and Reflect are honestly the most important ways to set up a weather sweep thinking about it. Most weather teams have quite a few Pokemon who gain boosted speed. With that said, the screens will support that much more than making something slow from paralysis. It also isn't a draw of luck hoping on a few free full paralysis turns. I personally prefer consistency and that seems to be what Uxie can bring best for weather teams.
 
I still would argue that all around the best lead is actually Qwilfish..so you should have something that can Sunny Day up inspite of the Taunt...i.e can move before Qwilfish no matter what. Prankster in other words. Not Liepard toofast. Defeats the purpose. Volbeat? Hell yeah. Does Qwilfish remind anyone of Deoxys in former OU? In that it can defnitely get one layer of T-Spikes/Spikes up no matter what unless faced with a mirror match?
 
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