"We'll all float on okay."
- Modest Mouse
The team is built around the idea of perpetual rain: if it's not raining, all but one of these pokemon will fail. As it rains, and rains, and rains, water will soak the ground and overflow. Some will drown, but we -- we'll all float on.
Without further ado, the Oceanic Six:
Okay.
Float On (Floatzel) (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 240 Atk/16 Spd/252 SAtk
Rash nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Rain Dance
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Taunt
Floatzel is an amazing rain dance lead who takes his name from the eponymous song. 115 base speed and Taunt allows him to block many leads which don't try to be stupidly fast from setting up. I experimented with many leads before trying him, and he does his job much better than anyone else. This does require prediction: if I'm faster and I think they'll use a utility move, I'll taunt them. If they're faster I rain dance. Alternatively, I switch to Ludicolo or Magnezone.
Assuming I've predicted correctly and not switched out, I've rain danced and taken one or zero hits. If I haven't been hit they probably have a hazard up but I've gotten the rain dance off. At this point Floatzel outspeeds everything except certain scarfed pokemon and becomes a mixed sweeper until forced out. Overall very good pokemon 10/10 would use as a lead again.
I used to have Mystic Water equipped but after testing the three extra turns of rain are much more important than a negligible damage increase -- Mystic Water does not appear to turn many 2HKOs into 1HKOs, even in rain.
Blingdra (Kingdra) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk/16 Spd/240 SAtk
Naughty nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Waterfall
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Signal Beam
This is a fairly standard mixed sweeper taken straight from the analysis except it does not have its own Rain Dance. Especially with Life Orb, Kingdra is much too fragile to waste a turn dancing. I've given it Signal Beam instead, almost exclusively for use against Celebi. Assuming I am able to switch Kingdra in while it's raining (sometimes a tricky enterprise), it's able to kill multiple pokemon before dying. Very good, overall.
Nightsongs (Omastar) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Ancientpower
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Choice Specced Omastar in the rain boasts a ridiculously high Special Attack score in addition to outspeeding most anything. I had a physical SSer, and two mixed ones, so I figured I ought to complete this and make a dedicated special one. I have mixed feeling about Omastar in this role: it functions decently, but does not shine. Ice Beam is wonderful against dragons trying anything cute, while Surf is the primary STAB. Hidden Power Grass is for Swampert, who walls my SSers somewhat. Ancientpower is for STAB and I haven't had cause to use it yet. As a Choice Specs user it's easily forced to switch, which is somewhat counter-productive as it wastes a turn of rain. I usually err on the side of caution and go to Raikou or Scizor, and I certainly don't bring in Omastar until there's only a few more turns of rain left.
Thunder Cow (Raikou) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 232 HP/156 Spd/120 SDef
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
I started pondering Raikou after encountering someone using it in a battle with Magnet Rise to hop my Earthquake. Unfortunately a set containing both Magnet Rise and Rain Dance isn't really viable on this team, so I tried a Restalk variant with Thunder and Rain Dance. It's worked very well so far: able to wall a variety of threats and strike back with a powerful, perhaps-paralyzing tempest. The only issue is its vulnerability to Earthquake. I may use a Rotom form instead of this: that would give a viable option to switch into a fighting attack directed at Scizor and also alleviate its ground weakness. However, a Rotom form is slower and less powerful, which may not be productive. In any case I really like this pokemon thus far.
Quill (Qwilfish) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Waterfall
- Explosion
This slot used to hold Kabutops. Qwilfish is pretty amazing -- although Poison Jab is truly a waste of a moveslot and I've only once had occasion to use it, against a Roserade. I may replace it with Aqua Jet for use when rain ends to finish off a weakened pkmn. In any case, Qwilfish is a worthy addition to the team. Its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes is invaluable, and Explosion is an easy answer to most any threat. While it lacks Kabutops's power it makes up for it in utility and its ability to go out with a bang. I've given it Jolly instead of Adamant so it can outrun most opposing Kingdra in the rain, which are absolutely devastating otherwise.
Scissor (Scizor) (M) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Roost
- Rain Dance
I took this Scizor, the "Rain Keeper," to replace Magnezone, which was too often to killed without doing anything of note, from Monsoon Season, a quality rain dance RMT: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56617. It's worked quite well -- it's sturdy enough to withstand hits many threats and still be able to set up rain and then Roost off the damage. Bullet Punch packs a nice, well, punch, and priority moves on this team are in high demand. U-Turn to escape Magnezone and for use against Celebi and Latias. His steel typing provides a welcome dragon resistance, also. Great addition, great set. If rain is going fire-type moves are weakened to the point of survivability, also.
...
Threat List
(note: as I can't
Azelf: as a lead, usually not a problem. Floatzel handles decently. It gets up rocks but is 2KOed by Surf or Waterfall. I may be taunted in the process. When rain is up half the team outspeeds it otherwise.
Breloom: I usually let it put Raikou to sleep then fight it with Scizor if rain is down, whom it can't dent significantly with most variations nowadays. I haven't faced a Sub/Focus Punch variation but I assume it would give me quite a bit of trouble.
Celebi: used to be a threat. Alleviated by the addition of Signal Beam to Kingdra and Scizor instead of Magnezone, though I still fear HP Fire.
Dugtrio: usually just dies. Could potentially trap and kill Raikou, though.
Electivire: as long as rain is up it dies easily. However, if it switches into Raikou's Thunder it causes a lot of problems with the Motor Drive speed boost -- Scizor can counter ones lacking Fire Punch, or else I hope Raikou or Scizor get up rain so a SSer can revenge kill.
Empoleon: takes some effort to kill -- will dent my team, as it resists most of the moves they pack.
Flygon: OHKOed by Kingdra's Draco Meteor, Quilfish's Explosion, and Omastar's Ice Beam.
Gengar: OHKOed by any SSer in rain while failing to OHKO Raikou and Scizor while they start the rain.
Gliscor: dies to all SSers except Quilfish whom it may be able to stall -- haven't tried, never really had an issue killing it.
Gyarados: I had enough trouble with +1 DD Gyarados with Earthquake sweeping my entire team without rain so I've ensured that Raikou can outspeed it by a small margin. Raikou will switch in when Gyara comes out, set up rain, taking an attack in the process (it isn't OHKOed by any of Gyara's attacks in good condition), then hopefully hit back with Thunder. If Gyarados has danced while Raikou has set up rain Raikou may go down, but the SSers still outpace a +2 DD Gyarados.
Heatran: rain makes his STAB fire fairly worthless and he takes heavy damage from half the pkmn on the team. Without rain up he's able to threaten both my rain starters.
Heracross: dies to rain-boosted moves in one hit usually.
Infernape: gets killed by SS when rain is up.
Jirachi: ain't no thang. Everyone uses the scarfed Iron Head ones now and SS pokemon outspeed it and kill it in two hits with a water move. And if it's not scarfed they outspeed it even more.
Kingdra: will sometimes give me trouble if it's a SS variety also, as my Kingdra doesn't run much speed -- it usually beats my mixed sweepers but Qwilfish speed ties it at worst -- Qwil will outspeed Kingdra and be able to Explode for the OHKO unless it's running a +Speed nature, which is rare. I've been warned about Sub/Outrage sets but I haven't witnessed any so their potential threat is noted. Scizor is also a decent counter.
Latias: used to potentially sweep my entire team. With the addition of Signal Beam to Kingdra, Scizor, and Omastar's Ice Beam, I now have reliable counters. Along with Qwilfish's explosion (a Swords-Danced one will OHKO).
Lucario: SD Lucario may still give me trouble -- I haven't seen his damage output vs. my rain starters but he used to wreck this team.
Machamp: dies to an SSer easily.
Magnezone: haven't had to fight this, but I assume Omastar's Surf or Kingdra's Hydro Pump would take care of it. Scizor can U-Turn out.
Mamoswine: ice shard can pick off a low-health SSer, but it goes down fast with its water weakness anyway. If no rain is up it can be potentially very threatening with super-effective hits against Raikou and Scizor.
Metagross: I haven't had much trouble with these ever. The SSers kill it without much ado.
Ninjask: this is an annoying pokemon who I have no real answer to: my best reply is to Taunt with Floatzel but it takes off a sizeable amount of Floatzel's health with its X-Scissor and is usually behind a substitute, so Floatzel will die and Ninjask's taunt will wear off. It usually gets off a Baton Pass at very low health to something which will be a hassle to take down. The changes to my team have not alleviated this weakness any, and with the loss of priority Aqua Jet on Kabutops I have one less tool against Ninjask.
Porygon-Z: fragile and dies to an SSer in one hit.
Rhyperior: 4x weakness to water = gg. With no rain, and a Choice Scarf, however, this threatens me greatly.
Roserade: OHKOed by an SSer. If its Focus Sash isn't broken it may be able to kill one of my swimmers, but the next one will clean up. As a lead I let it put Raikou to sleep then sleep talk at it. Qwilfish can absorb the Toxic Spikes.
Rotom: all forms are OHKOed when rain is up. The lawnmower one is the most threatening because of its high-power Leaf Storm. Hard to switch into, but the Rain Dancers can usually bring the forms down by themselves. Exception: Rotom-H vs. Scizor, although if rain is up Scizor can survive an Overheat and Roost off the damage.
Salamence: Omastar OHKOs him in rain, as does Kingdra, and Qwilfish with Explosion. Scary if there's no rain. Scizor can handle versions with no fire moves.
Scizor: dies to water moves really fast. Bullet Punch hurts Kingdra and Qwilfish if they've taken some Life Orb recoil, though.
Snorlax: threatening: Qwilfish has had to Explode on curse variants multiple times.
Starmie: I switch to Raikou and Scizor, both of which don't like taking rain-boosted Surfs at all, but they both boast super-effective moves which scare it off and they are able to recover the damage.
Suicune: Restalk variants give me problems as they can Calm Mind up against Raikou and hit back with boosted Surfs. Scizor does decently against it. Qwilfish can Explode.
Togekiss: dies in the rain. Paralysis from Body Slam is really annoying though and can easily disable my sweepers if not perfectly dealt with.
Tyranitar: annoys with Sandstorm. Still, it dies fairly easily -- Scizor does an excellent job, and it's worn down by super-effective water moves even without rain.
Weavile: Ice Shard picks off weakened SSers, but he dies in one hit otherwise.
Yanmega: dies in one hit in rain. As a lead I let it put Raikou to sleep.
Zapdos: not much trouble anymore.
...
Updates
6/16/09:
- Switched Kabutops for Swords Dance Qwilfish, as per recommendations.
- Switched Magnezone for "Rain Keeper" Scizor (from Monsoon Season, another rain dance RMT: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56617).
- Switched Ludicolo for Restalk-Rain Dance Raikou.
- Switched Dugtrio for Choice Specs Omastar.
- Gave Floatzel Damp Rock instead of Mystic Water, as per recommendations.
...
Discards, or: Davy Jones' Locker
Dugtrio (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch
- Aerial Ace
Dugtrio functions decently on this team. I needed a revenge killer, and this fulfills the role quite well, in addition to being able to switch into electric attacks which are liberally flung at my water PKMN with lethal intent -- a mispredicted switch usually ends in 'trio being OKHOed, though. I've not been that impressed with this, but it fulfills its role decently. Also it always kills Tyranitar who otherwise gives this team a lot of trouble.
Agua Dulce (Ludicolo) (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP/216 Def/40 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Leech Seed
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rain Dance
I wish I could give this Damp Rock -- really I do. But Ludicolo works very well with Leftovers/Protect and Rain Dish to boot -- he's beefy enough to survive nearly indefinitely, refreshing rain every so often. Poison and Paralysis really kill him, though, and there's not really a way around that. Paralysis is really the bane of my entire team: it's all VERY speed-dependent. He's decent, but definitely replaceable with another viable wall pokemon.
Sand Shark (Kabutops) (M) @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 224 HP/252 Atk/32 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
I used to use a Life Orb Kabutops moveset with X-Scissor instead of Aqua Jet. It was pretty awful then someone I battled suggested this set to me and I've used it and not looked back. Kabutops is VERY good with this set -- even without rain Aqua Jet will go first and score a nice chunk of damage against anything that doesn't resist it. Most people don't expect him to attack without rain anyway, so this nets me some nice turns. He's very good overall -- I usually like to save Kingdra for last and so Kabutops comes out before Kingdra to test the waters. Once a physical wall comes along I know Kingdra will have to meteor/pump it later in the game in order to end it.
Magnezone @ Damp Rock
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 172 HP/84 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Explosion
- Magnet Rise
- Rain Dance
- Thunder
I like this decently. I've switched around this slot a lot -- it was before Bronzong, when I had Zapdos instead of Ludicolo, but I tried to consolidate the thunder move (for opposing water-types) and the myriad resistances onto one pokemon. It's somewhat successful -- easily walled by ground types when they realize it has no other moves. Rain Dance helps it with its fire weakness, though. I think I need to replace Substitute with an attack move. Not sure what.
...
Errata
Original:
That's all. This is my first RMT, so I hope I've done it well enough. Suggestions, comments, critiques -- of the RMT and the team itself -- are much appreciated.
Thanks!
6/16/09:
Considering switching Raikou for Rotom-C, which has Levitate to protect from ground attacks while also having access to the same Restalk/Rain Dance/Thunder moveset. Threatens a potent grass move, too.
Also, Qwilfish was an invaluable suggestion and is an important component of the team now. Lessened the need for Dugtrio's slot as revenge killer with its Explosion, allowing me to add another Swift Swimmer. Toxic Spikes absorption is also key.
"Rain Keeper" Scizor was lifted from Monsoon Season, a quality Rain Dance RMT, found here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56617.
Thanks!
- Modest Mouse
The team is built around the idea of perpetual rain: if it's not raining, all but one of these pokemon will fail. As it rains, and rains, and rains, water will soak the ground and overflow. Some will drown, but we -- we'll all float on.
Without further ado, the Oceanic Six:
Okay.
Float On (Floatzel) (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 240 Atk/16 Spd/252 SAtk
Rash nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Rain Dance
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Taunt
Floatzel is an amazing rain dance lead who takes his name from the eponymous song. 115 base speed and Taunt allows him to block many leads which don't try to be stupidly fast from setting up. I experimented with many leads before trying him, and he does his job much better than anyone else. This does require prediction: if I'm faster and I think they'll use a utility move, I'll taunt them. If they're faster I rain dance. Alternatively, I switch to Ludicolo or Magnezone.
Assuming I've predicted correctly and not switched out, I've rain danced and taken one or zero hits. If I haven't been hit they probably have a hazard up but I've gotten the rain dance off. At this point Floatzel outspeeds everything except certain scarfed pokemon and becomes a mixed sweeper until forced out. Overall very good pokemon 10/10 would use as a lead again.
I used to have Mystic Water equipped but after testing the three extra turns of rain are much more important than a negligible damage increase -- Mystic Water does not appear to turn many 2HKOs into 1HKOs, even in rain.
Blingdra (Kingdra) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk/16 Spd/240 SAtk
Naughty nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Waterfall
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Signal Beam
This is a fairly standard mixed sweeper taken straight from the analysis except it does not have its own Rain Dance. Especially with Life Orb, Kingdra is much too fragile to waste a turn dancing. I've given it Signal Beam instead, almost exclusively for use against Celebi. Assuming I am able to switch Kingdra in while it's raining (sometimes a tricky enterprise), it's able to kill multiple pokemon before dying. Very good, overall.
Nightsongs (Omastar) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Ancientpower
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Choice Specced Omastar in the rain boasts a ridiculously high Special Attack score in addition to outspeeding most anything. I had a physical SSer, and two mixed ones, so I figured I ought to complete this and make a dedicated special one. I have mixed feeling about Omastar in this role: it functions decently, but does not shine. Ice Beam is wonderful against dragons trying anything cute, while Surf is the primary STAB. Hidden Power Grass is for Swampert, who walls my SSers somewhat. Ancientpower is for STAB and I haven't had cause to use it yet. As a Choice Specs user it's easily forced to switch, which is somewhat counter-productive as it wastes a turn of rain. I usually err on the side of caution and go to Raikou or Scizor, and I certainly don't bring in Omastar until there's only a few more turns of rain left.
Thunder Cow (Raikou) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 232 HP/156 Spd/120 SDef
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
I started pondering Raikou after encountering someone using it in a battle with Magnet Rise to hop my Earthquake. Unfortunately a set containing both Magnet Rise and Rain Dance isn't really viable on this team, so I tried a Restalk variant with Thunder and Rain Dance. It's worked very well so far: able to wall a variety of threats and strike back with a powerful, perhaps-paralyzing tempest. The only issue is its vulnerability to Earthquake. I may use a Rotom form instead of this: that would give a viable option to switch into a fighting attack directed at Scizor and also alleviate its ground weakness. However, a Rotom form is slower and less powerful, which may not be productive. In any case I really like this pokemon thus far.
Quill (Qwilfish) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Waterfall
- Explosion
This slot used to hold Kabutops. Qwilfish is pretty amazing -- although Poison Jab is truly a waste of a moveslot and I've only once had occasion to use it, against a Roserade. I may replace it with Aqua Jet for use when rain ends to finish off a weakened pkmn. In any case, Qwilfish is a worthy addition to the team. Its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes is invaluable, and Explosion is an easy answer to most any threat. While it lacks Kabutops's power it makes up for it in utility and its ability to go out with a bang. I've given it Jolly instead of Adamant so it can outrun most opposing Kingdra in the rain, which are absolutely devastating otherwise.
Scissor (Scizor) (M) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Roost
- Rain Dance
I took this Scizor, the "Rain Keeper," to replace Magnezone, which was too often to killed without doing anything of note, from Monsoon Season, a quality rain dance RMT: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56617. It's worked quite well -- it's sturdy enough to withstand hits many threats and still be able to set up rain and then Roost off the damage. Bullet Punch packs a nice, well, punch, and priority moves on this team are in high demand. U-Turn to escape Magnezone and for use against Celebi and Latias. His steel typing provides a welcome dragon resistance, also. Great addition, great set. If rain is going fire-type moves are weakened to the point of survivability, also.
...
Threat List
(note: as I can't
Azelf: as a lead, usually not a problem. Floatzel handles decently. It gets up rocks but is 2KOed by Surf or Waterfall. I may be taunted in the process. When rain is up half the team outspeeds it otherwise.
Breloom: I usually let it put Raikou to sleep then fight it with Scizor if rain is down, whom it can't dent significantly with most variations nowadays. I haven't faced a Sub/Focus Punch variation but I assume it would give me quite a bit of trouble.
Celebi: used to be a threat. Alleviated by the addition of Signal Beam to Kingdra and Scizor instead of Magnezone, though I still fear HP Fire.
Dugtrio: usually just dies. Could potentially trap and kill Raikou, though.
Electivire: as long as rain is up it dies easily. However, if it switches into Raikou's Thunder it causes a lot of problems with the Motor Drive speed boost -- Scizor can counter ones lacking Fire Punch, or else I hope Raikou or Scizor get up rain so a SSer can revenge kill.
Empoleon: takes some effort to kill -- will dent my team, as it resists most of the moves they pack.
Flygon: OHKOed by Kingdra's Draco Meteor, Quilfish's Explosion, and Omastar's Ice Beam.
Gengar: OHKOed by any SSer in rain while failing to OHKO Raikou and Scizor while they start the rain.
Gliscor: dies to all SSers except Quilfish whom it may be able to stall -- haven't tried, never really had an issue killing it.
Gyarados: I had enough trouble with +1 DD Gyarados with Earthquake sweeping my entire team without rain so I've ensured that Raikou can outspeed it by a small margin. Raikou will switch in when Gyara comes out, set up rain, taking an attack in the process (it isn't OHKOed by any of Gyara's attacks in good condition), then hopefully hit back with Thunder. If Gyarados has danced while Raikou has set up rain Raikou may go down, but the SSers still outpace a +2 DD Gyarados.
Heatran: rain makes his STAB fire fairly worthless and he takes heavy damage from half the pkmn on the team. Without rain up he's able to threaten both my rain starters.
Heracross: dies to rain-boosted moves in one hit usually.
Infernape: gets killed by SS when rain is up.
Jirachi: ain't no thang. Everyone uses the scarfed Iron Head ones now and SS pokemon outspeed it and kill it in two hits with a water move. And if it's not scarfed they outspeed it even more.
Kingdra: will sometimes give me trouble if it's a SS variety also, as my Kingdra doesn't run much speed -- it usually beats my mixed sweepers but Qwilfish speed ties it at worst -- Qwil will outspeed Kingdra and be able to Explode for the OHKO unless it's running a +Speed nature, which is rare. I've been warned about Sub/Outrage sets but I haven't witnessed any so their potential threat is noted. Scizor is also a decent counter.
Latias: used to potentially sweep my entire team. With the addition of Signal Beam to Kingdra, Scizor, and Omastar's Ice Beam, I now have reliable counters. Along with Qwilfish's explosion (a Swords-Danced one will OHKO).
Lucario: SD Lucario may still give me trouble -- I haven't seen his damage output vs. my rain starters but he used to wreck this team.
Machamp: dies to an SSer easily.
Magnezone: haven't had to fight this, but I assume Omastar's Surf or Kingdra's Hydro Pump would take care of it. Scizor can U-Turn out.
Mamoswine: ice shard can pick off a low-health SSer, but it goes down fast with its water weakness anyway. If no rain is up it can be potentially very threatening with super-effective hits against Raikou and Scizor.
Metagross: I haven't had much trouble with these ever. The SSers kill it without much ado.
Ninjask: this is an annoying pokemon who I have no real answer to: my best reply is to Taunt with Floatzel but it takes off a sizeable amount of Floatzel's health with its X-Scissor and is usually behind a substitute, so Floatzel will die and Ninjask's taunt will wear off. It usually gets off a Baton Pass at very low health to something which will be a hassle to take down. The changes to my team have not alleviated this weakness any, and with the loss of priority Aqua Jet on Kabutops I have one less tool against Ninjask.
Porygon-Z: fragile and dies to an SSer in one hit.
Rhyperior: 4x weakness to water = gg. With no rain, and a Choice Scarf, however, this threatens me greatly.
Roserade: OHKOed by an SSer. If its Focus Sash isn't broken it may be able to kill one of my swimmers, but the next one will clean up. As a lead I let it put Raikou to sleep then sleep talk at it. Qwilfish can absorb the Toxic Spikes.
Rotom: all forms are OHKOed when rain is up. The lawnmower one is the most threatening because of its high-power Leaf Storm. Hard to switch into, but the Rain Dancers can usually bring the forms down by themselves. Exception: Rotom-H vs. Scizor, although if rain is up Scizor can survive an Overheat and Roost off the damage.
Salamence: Omastar OHKOs him in rain, as does Kingdra, and Qwilfish with Explosion. Scary if there's no rain. Scizor can handle versions with no fire moves.
Scizor: dies to water moves really fast. Bullet Punch hurts Kingdra and Qwilfish if they've taken some Life Orb recoil, though.
Snorlax: threatening: Qwilfish has had to Explode on curse variants multiple times.
Starmie: I switch to Raikou and Scizor, both of which don't like taking rain-boosted Surfs at all, but they both boast super-effective moves which scare it off and they are able to recover the damage.
Suicune: Restalk variants give me problems as they can Calm Mind up against Raikou and hit back with boosted Surfs. Scizor does decently against it. Qwilfish can Explode.
Togekiss: dies in the rain. Paralysis from Body Slam is really annoying though and can easily disable my sweepers if not perfectly dealt with.
Tyranitar: annoys with Sandstorm. Still, it dies fairly easily -- Scizor does an excellent job, and it's worn down by super-effective water moves even without rain.
Weavile: Ice Shard picks off weakened SSers, but he dies in one hit otherwise.
Yanmega: dies in one hit in rain. As a lead I let it put Raikou to sleep.
Zapdos: not much trouble anymore.
...
Updates
6/16/09:
- Switched Kabutops for Swords Dance Qwilfish, as per recommendations.
- Switched Magnezone for "Rain Keeper" Scizor (from Monsoon Season, another rain dance RMT: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56617).
- Switched Ludicolo for Restalk-Rain Dance Raikou.
- Switched Dugtrio for Choice Specs Omastar.
- Gave Floatzel Damp Rock instead of Mystic Water, as per recommendations.
...
Discards, or: Davy Jones' Locker
Dugtrio (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch
- Aerial Ace
Dugtrio functions decently on this team. I needed a revenge killer, and this fulfills the role quite well, in addition to being able to switch into electric attacks which are liberally flung at my water PKMN with lethal intent -- a mispredicted switch usually ends in 'trio being OKHOed, though. I've not been that impressed with this, but it fulfills its role decently. Also it always kills Tyranitar who otherwise gives this team a lot of trouble.
Agua Dulce (Ludicolo) (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP/216 Def/40 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Leech Seed
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Rain Dance
I wish I could give this Damp Rock -- really I do. But Ludicolo works very well with Leftovers/Protect and Rain Dish to boot -- he's beefy enough to survive nearly indefinitely, refreshing rain every so often. Poison and Paralysis really kill him, though, and there's not really a way around that. Paralysis is really the bane of my entire team: it's all VERY speed-dependent. He's decent, but definitely replaceable with another viable wall pokemon.
Sand Shark (Kabutops) (M) @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 224 HP/252 Atk/32 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
I used to use a Life Orb Kabutops moveset with X-Scissor instead of Aqua Jet. It was pretty awful then someone I battled suggested this set to me and I've used it and not looked back. Kabutops is VERY good with this set -- even without rain Aqua Jet will go first and score a nice chunk of damage against anything that doesn't resist it. Most people don't expect him to attack without rain anyway, so this nets me some nice turns. He's very good overall -- I usually like to save Kingdra for last and so Kabutops comes out before Kingdra to test the waters. Once a physical wall comes along I know Kingdra will have to meteor/pump it later in the game in order to end it.
Magnezone @ Damp Rock
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 172 HP/84 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Explosion
- Magnet Rise
- Rain Dance
- Thunder
I like this decently. I've switched around this slot a lot -- it was before Bronzong, when I had Zapdos instead of Ludicolo, but I tried to consolidate the thunder move (for opposing water-types) and the myriad resistances onto one pokemon. It's somewhat successful -- easily walled by ground types when they realize it has no other moves. Rain Dance helps it with its fire weakness, though. I think I need to replace Substitute with an attack move. Not sure what.
...
Errata
Original:
That's all. This is my first RMT, so I hope I've done it well enough. Suggestions, comments, critiques -- of the RMT and the team itself -- are much appreciated.
Thanks!
6/16/09:
Considering switching Raikou for Rotom-C, which has Levitate to protect from ground attacks while also having access to the same Restalk/Rain Dance/Thunder moveset. Threatens a potent grass move, too.
Also, Qwilfish was an invaluable suggestion and is an important component of the team now. Lessened the need for Dugtrio's slot as revenge killer with its Explosion, allowing me to add another Swift Swimmer. Toxic Spikes absorption is also key.
"Rain Keeper" Scizor was lifted from Monsoon Season, a quality Rain Dance RMT, found here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56617.
Thanks!
