Attempt at my first OU Team!

RidleyX

THIS IS THE FOURTH SETUP AFTER SUGGESTIONS
Please give me suggestions on this new team line-up.

Team Format:
This is a Rain Dance team as you can see:



I have decided to avoid Azelf as a lead due to its predictability and how it loses to most anti-leads (especially the ones by me). This team has a whole lot of Rain Dance users so it doesn't have much trouble getting it up.

Gliscor is my lead since it can take a hit, sets up both Rain and Stealth Rock if given the opportunity and its weaknesses are covered by others if need be. Even T-Tar won't take it down with ease and will give me too much time. Ice Punch and Ice Beam users are the largest threat to him but I just need to predict and know my stuff.

Jirachi and Scizor will be my main support in setting up the rain and both of them can use U-turn to scout. Jirachi abuses the rain with a thunder that no other can compare to. Scizor uses the rain to fortify himself and can even sweep a little himself.

Kingdra, Kabutops and Ludicolo are my sweepers and Kingdra can even use Rain Dance giving me a backup Rain Dancer who can probably take a hit to support the team or just do it on a counter entry.

Weaknesses:
Toxic Spikes
Status Effects
2x Weak to Fire

Weaknesses have been removed one by one with this thanks to all of you. Not sure if there are some weaknesses that I'm unaware of but the old ones have been removed. :)


LEAD:

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Jolly Gliscor - Damp Rock
EVs - 252HP/4Def/252Spe

Rain Dance
Stealth Rock
Earthquake
U-Turn
​

This lead will allow me to resist the common Tyranitar and even threaten it with my capability of using earthquake. Even leads such as Metagross need to watch out since with the right EV spread I can 2 Hit Kill him with Earthquake. In the mean time, I can use Rain Dance and maybe even Stealth Rock. Since this pokemons only weaknesses are ice and water, I can easily switch to something that can resist that. U-turn will be used to scout and bring in my sweepers. It isn't guaranteed that he will survive but that shouldn't be its objective. Many different leads will either give Gliscor too much time to build everything up or Gliscor will just outspeed them and give me Rain Dance before he is done in.


SUPPORT:

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Timid Jirachi - Damp Rock
EVs - 252HP/80SpA/176Spe

Rain Dance
Thunder
Iron Head
U-Turn
​

This will be my mid-game Rain Dance setter and will provide a solid attack to kill off that Gyarados that thought it could setup on my Rain setter. That thunder will be nasty in the rain with 100% accuracy and whopping 60% chance to paralyze the opponent. Iron Head is incase I come across abomasnow and can also own a person who is either slower, or has been paralyzed by thunder since they will now have a 60% of being flinched and a 25% of failing to attack because of paralysis. U-Turn is once again used for scouting whenever I am given the opportunity.

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Adamant Scizor - Damp Rock
EVs - HP172/Atk176/SpDef160

Rain Dance
Bullet Punch
Super Power
U-Turn​

Under the Rain, this guy becomes an incredible wall who can setup Rain, Hit hard on my most despised enemies such as T-Tar and even offers a STAB U-Turn that is slow and can be used to scout better than any other. He is also probably the best partner along with Jirachi for my Kingdra who will be competing with Dragons.


SWEEPERS:

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Modest Ludicolo - Life Orb
EVs - 4HP/252SpA/252Spe

Rain Dance
Energy Ball
Surf
Ice Beam
​

First of all, Ludicolo will, in most cases be my second sweeper. Depending on what Kindgdra has found in the other team and whatever walls it has encountered or defeated will decide whether Ludicolo or Kabutops will be my finisher since one is Special and one is Physical. I chose energy ball since those vaporeons are just trouble for this team. This has a counter to almost all types or at least does base damage which is nice. Focus Punch is for those Blissey users since it spells the end for Ludicolo's sweep and just proves to be trouble. All in all, he is my most flexible sweeper who can even come in on many threats all on his own (not desired tho).

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(Mixed) Modest Kingdra - Life Orb
EVs - 252Atk/240SpA/16Spe

Rain Dance
Waterfall
Hydro Pump
Draco Meteor
​

What's a rain dance team without Kingdra? This will cover most enemy threats but can be revenge killed easier than the special one. This will most likely be my first or second sweeper who will have flexibility against walls and such. If a scarf dragon does take the risk of coming out on my first attack and only gets hit by a waterfall, I'll just swap to Scizor or Jirachi who can easily take a dragon attack especially if its locked in. This is also my 4th and last Rain Dancer for the team.

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Adamant Kabutops - Life Orb
EVs - 4HP/252Atk/252Spe

Swords Dance
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Aqua Jet
​

This is kind of my Star of the Team since he is extremely fast and covers an enormous range of types (along with hitting hard). He will clean up whatever is left especially with Aqua Jet. EV spread is slightly different than the site and leaned more on the speed. Other than that, it follows the sites OU Swords Dancer which is quite strong from what I can see. Waterfall is the #1 STAB for him. Stone Edge for some tougher kills and Aqua Jet for those damn Extremespeed, Bullet Punch or Mach Punch users. It's even good for a quick kill even without rain. Swords Dance is just plain nice. I will bring him out whenever is most efficient and will give the possibility of a swords dance.


Please Give Your Opinions
This is my first time trying this and any knowledge you can spare would be really appreciated.
 
I am of the opinion that either Kingdra or Ludicolo does not really need Rain Dance on their set. You should make the other into something of a mixed sweeper, since it is necessary to break down walls. My personal opinion is that Kingdra is better at this - Ludicolo's focus punch takes a lot of prediction to be effective, and is dead weight apart from against Blissey. Kingdra can use either of two powerful STAB attacks off a better attack stat, which altogether gives it greater wallbreaking power and unpredictability.

I do not recommend the use of Crobat outside of the lead position. Crobat is weak to SR, severely limiting the number of times it can come in and set up rain. It is also somewhat weak stat-wise. I would suggest the removal of swampert from the lead position - Swampert is too prone to taunt and trick, and so will rarely set up both SR and Rain Dance. A much faster pokemon such as Azelf is recommended in the lead position, due to having some speed, and a way to safely switch in your rain sweeper (u-turn or explosion.) Crobat functions OK here too.

Swampert should run Ice Beam, because this is more powerful against Dragons, and also isn't weak when you aren't hit.

If you really get annoyed at the toxic spikes weakness, which is rather severe, Qwilfish can be used over Kabutops, but having a fast taunt lead and an aggressive pace of play is recommended for preventing its setup for the majority of the match.

Good luck.
 
Alright now this is my first rain rate but I'll try my best. (Not giving EV suggestions for some because it depends what you pick first.) Also your team has to many rain dance starters. 2-3 is fine.

Swampert-I don't totally agree with this as this lead is way to slow and easily beaten. I recommend something like Uxie or Azelf or Jirachi to set up rain dance.

Crobat- Yeah with no rapid spin this is kinda useless. I recommend switching this for something like Omastar a strong special sweeper or Quilfish that absorbs your toxic spike problems.

Scizor-Don't see any problems.

Kingdra-No no no no no. Mixed is better off. Kingdra doesn't not have the power to destroy a blissey and totally recommend at least having waterfall so you can actually hit and kill blissey. I personally have no clue for the EVs but try Smogon's 252 attack/240SpA/16 speed. This can make you outspeed scarf heatran but not Latias. You needa lot more speed to do that. Raindance or Sub/Waterfall/Hydropump or surf I prefer Hydropump/Outrage or DracoMeteor. Another reason not to go all special is that your going to have to switch when you meet or face a t-wave. Once you do switch they will ethier toxic or t-wave and predict around you if toxic and send one of there own sweepers to kill you.

Kabutops- Nothing that I see is wrong.

Ludicolo-Go with rain dance. Focus punch can be alittle risky but it can help with blisseys.

With all my suggestions if you take them all you will get 3 or 4 rain dancers which is all is pretty much needed. Anyway most of all

GOOD LUCK :D
 
How come you use Rain Dance excessively, but don't have a pokemon that can use Thunder? That seems like a waste. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jolteon seems like it would fit right in.
 
I think your team is pretty good. I definitely can't go through each Pokemon on your team and tell you which is better, but I do have a good idea for your lead. Togekiss. I think keeping a flying type lead is good idea because it takes care of your grass weakness. You may have to adjust Togekiss's moveset to fir your team better, maybe switch our roost/encore for rain dance, or (although I don't suggest it) switch thunder wave for rain dance. It also doesn't make much sense to keep fire blast, but you could replace that with ancient power to help take care of your Electric weakness.

Of course, I am not super experienced with this, I am still working on my first team. But this is just what I would do.
 
I got your PM
Crobat could be your lead or a Zapdos. If crobat is not your lead then drop it for something more bulky such as Lanturn which soaks up Electric attacks and can use them himself as well.

I still like Focus Punch on Ludicolo as then you are not walled by Blissey.
 
I have taken all of your comments to mind and have put together a new team which I would like to think is an improvement. Please take a look at the first post since I edited it to display the new strategy.

It would be great if you could all critic and give suggestions on this new team. I am really thankful for your opinions and your time. Thanks!
 
Well drop Starmie in its spot. It can still be on the team if you want but it is not setting up rain dance which is top priority for a rain dance team. Also A lanturn, Zapdos or Rotom W can all set up Rain dance better than Gliscor, are just as or if not more bulky than him and all can abuse the rain as Gliscor cannot. Rotom and Lanturn can also take care of Electric attacks if you are worried about them.
 
Starmie is big no. Tyranitars now common in the current metagame will say hi and pursuit you making your rain dance useless and a waste of a slot. I recommend Jirachi because its not weak and its fire weakness is gone basically in the rain. Jirachi could go for Raindance/Thunder/U-turn/Wish or SR. 252hp/80SpA/176speed.

Ludicolo-If you have that big problems with blissey go with the leech seed set with rain dish. This is a very effective staller in the rain and this will destroy blisseys.
Calm nature.
232HP/216SpD/60speed
Leftovers or Damprock (I prefer leftovers)
Subsuitute
LeechSeed
Surf or Grassknot (I prefer surf so you don't get stoped by 3-4 steels.)
Toxic or rain dance. (I recommend toxic to have the best stalling abilities)

I think this team is a good rain dance team.
Most of all good luck :D
 
corncake22 said:
Starmie is big no. Tyranitars now common in the current metagame will say hi and pursuit you making your rain dance useless and a waste of a slot. I recommend Jirachi because its not weak and its fire weakness is gone basically in the rain. Jirachi could go for Raindance/Thunder/U-turn/Wish or SR. 252hp/80SpA/176speed.
Click to expand...

Lol Corncake I was telling him this stuff via PM and we had this massive theorymon about anti leads and stuff......

Anyway I just wanted to point out that a Staller set on Ludicolo is just no. Rain only lasts for a short time and stalling the rain is not a good idea. Focus Punch handles Blissey or Scizor and even Kingdra as it is now mixed.
I am no rain expert however I am pretty sure that offensive Rain teams who actually USE the rain work far better than rain teams who try and stall out th rain.
 
It's tough to find a lead that isn't common for this team lol.

Alright guys, I have worked on yet another lead and support and I would love to hear your opinions on this one. It is shown on my first post once again.

I'll state here that my lead is now Weavile and I know it's really awkward but at least take a look at what I say and then decide. :)

Also, Gliscor was replaced with a Rotom-W to setup the Rain and not allow for the opponent to setup on him.

Thanks again for any and all suggestions!
 
How are you going to punch blissey with prediction? And besides people think you'll go all offensive. If they decide to status on ludicolo it can easily sub and leech seed. Plus if you don't stall and you don't predict it can cause alot of trouble for this entire team. You'll have to switch and then blissey needs to t-wave or toxic. PLUS leech seed then switch out to something like Kingdra and bam has HP each turn which is deadly. If you really want blissey dead have the staller set with focus punch over surf or grassknot. Your team benefits from leech seed because think about it your team will constantly take LO damage. I recommend a Quilfish over kabutops because its alot better overall. Your team has problem with toxic spikes. That gliscor lead could work but I like a jirachi lead alot better.

Anyway good luck :D
 
corncake22 said:
How are you going to punch blissey with prediction? And besides people think you'll go all offensive. If they decide to status on ludicolo it can easily sub and leech seed. Plus if you don't stall and you don't predict it can cause alot of trouble for this entire team. You'll have to switch and then blissey needs to t-wave or toxic. PLUS leech seed then switch out to something like Kingdra and bam has HP each turn which is deadly. If you really want blissey dead have the staller set with focus punch over surf or grassknot. Your team benefits from leech seed because think about it your team will constantly take LO damage. Anyway good luck :D
Click to expand...

The point of rain is to abuse to as much as possiable. And the staller set does not beat blissey as she simply switch's back out and you have lost all momentum on your offensive team and at least 2 rain turns have been wasted AND your leach seed PP has been wasted. Besides, using the staller set just to beat blissey is a waste of a moveset as scizor and Kabutops hurts it pretty well. WASTING RAIN TURNS IS BAD!
Also it is fairly easy to predict a blissey switch in, eg if Blissey switch's in the first time you attack with Ludicolo then the next time Ludicolo switch's in you can use Focus Punch right of the bat.
 
Alright guys, this new setup I believe is a large improvement from what I started with and would like your opinions. Once again, I changed my first post to show the team and why I chose them.

Ludicolo will now most likely have to use Focus Punch but as I've said, I need to test both of them to see which I need more. I'm not much of a fan of stalling anyway and the subseeder is cool and all but I want to be aggressive.

Jirachi was a good suggestion by both of you and thought maybe I'd use it for mid-game replenishing and awsome thunders. With wish along with it, some of my sweepers can have another go at it. This will cover Scizors old position since having both of them will only give me a problem if the rain runs out and I don't think a fire user will come out when the rain is active just to get owned.

Swampert is back since it covers and supports jirachi nicely and can even place a stealth rock if gliscor failed to do so. Also, an ice user will most likely be countered by either jirachi or swampert. A water, ground and grass user will be countered by a water pokemon such as ludicolo.
 
sorry but Scizor MUST stay as it is a really nice check from the main weather changers Tyranitar and Abomasnow. It also scouts just like Jirachi can but it gets STAB on U-turn.
You could use that Jirachi as your lead or swap it for those other leads I meantioned to you via PM
 
Swampert can also beat out T-Tar but in his case, he doesn't need to watch out for fire punch and completely outclasses T-Tar and helps setup stealth rock as well. As for Jirachi compared to Scizor, Jirachi is bulkier and much faster and can even screw up my opponents speed with thunder. Gyarados won't get much of a chance to setup on Jirachi and if a dragon tries to setup, if he gets Paralyzed by the thunder (doesn't really do damage in this case) then my sweepers will have no problem no matter how strong they become. More of a guaranteed rain dance setter and if abomasnow is a problem I can always remove wish and put up Iron Headbutt. Jirachi as a lead is just like bronzong and metagross as leads in weakness and ends up being killed by all the anti-leads by me and doesn't even get to do anything really.

Crobat (will setup Rain indefinitly but will be KO'ed after), Zaptos (more flexible and won't be KO'ed by almost any of the anti-leads but no Stealth Rock), and Gliscor (sets up Rain almost always like Zaptos but counters a few other leads and allows for Stealth Rock as well). These are the Leads that I've come to think of as the most acceptable since Azelf (less so), Jirachi and Bronzong get raped by the common effective anti-leads.
 
I would take out Kabu for Scizor, I mean he fits perfectly, With Fire Weakened he can take more hits, I suggest this set up.
Adamant
Choice Band/Life Orb
EV's (HP 172 / Atk 176 / SpDef 160 )
-Bullet Punch
-Superpower
-Pursuit
-U-Turn

Seems like Your Physical Sweeper is good but Scizor Fits nicely. Also He survive if Your Rain stops or if another Weather Effect comes into place. Can be a Good mix up pokemon because IDK usually people wouldnt expect a Scizor there. Also makes a Good Switch Partner for Kingdra.
 
I agree with that scizor should stay as his move set is great vs T-Tards and keeps Latias (who carry T bolt most of the time or even Grass knot) in check.
 
I mean, I guess I could just remove Swampert since he does allow too many people to setup and just keep Scizor. I kinda don't want to remove Kabutops since removing him would lower the real benefits of the rain which is a sweeper that can't really be stopped with a sweeper counter. He even has aqua jet. :)

EastBay and Ibuki, what do you think of a scizor like this:

Adamant Scizor - Damp Rock
EVs - HP172/Atk176/SpDef160

Rain Dance
Bullet Punch
Super Power
U-Turn

Rain Dance will take Pursuit's spot but U-Turn definitly does good damage against most people weak to pursuit. Most of them take 2x from bug as well such as latias. Bullet Punch for quick revenge kills and SuperPower to just hit hard on whatever resistances are left (especially own a tyranitar). With this, I can see myself setting Rain, using something like superpower (which weakens me and then U-turn out or just U-turn after Rain). That U-turn acts as my third U-turn scouting ability from my 3 rain setters and really helps get clean sweepers in, but in his case, it hurts like hell. This way I gain an even more aggressive style than if I kept Swampert who allows people to setup. What do you think?

Also, other than that, what do you guys think of my Gliscor lead and Jirachi as support?
 
What kind of prediction are you referring to? If Scizor attacks, if he sets rain dance or if I need to set it up? I mean, I can always just take Focus Punch off of Ludicolo and give it Rain Dance as well to play mind games with my opponent. Now he'll have to guess if I'm using Ludicolo, Kingdra, Jirachi or Scizor to set up the Rain. Do note that Jirachi will most likely outspeed most of the fire pokemon and protect itself. This way, if my rain runs out, I won't necessarily go to one of my rain setters and if he reads a switch and all I do is put up some rain, then they fell for it.

I don't plan on showing both Scizor and Jirachi to my opponent until the match has progressed passed my second Rain Dance setup (Jirachi will most likely be the hidden pokemon since it can devistate my opponent if done right and he is faster, bulkier and carries more resistances making him the backup to turn to if scizor wont cut it). Also, if I wanted, on the last Rain Dance turn, i could switch in jirachi or scizor on as a counter to the current pokemon, and then use rain dance next turn on their switch. Once again, it's all prediction and who said this team was easy to run lol. I don't know what you think but I look forward to your response.

BTW I've placed images now onto my team post so it's easier to visualize. Thanks again!
 
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