Rain, of course!
Hello Smogon! I'm eastsideman09, and I'm relatively new to Pokemon. I've only been playing Pokemon for the past two summers, and have only been battling online for about two months. Singles in OU was all well and good for me, but Doubles is where it's at! More Pokemon to choose from, more strategies to fight with and against, more viable moves, there's just more! Anyway, let's get on with it.
This is far and away my most successful Doubles team. It's gotten me to where I am in the ladder (I'm sitting at around 1850 right now), and I'd like to get higher. It's undergone a few changes: Kyurem-B is the only one I didn't start with (switched with Kingdra), and other than that, it's just been EV tweaks (which is an area I'd like suggestions on). Onward to details!
Politoed @ Iron Ball | Drizzle
Sassy | 220 HP / 92 Def / 8 SpA / 188 SpD / 0 Spe IV's
Scald / Psychic / Encore / Protect
Iron Ball virtually guarantees Rain vs. another weather inducer, and makes me pretty anti-Trick Room, as I can usually Encore the Trick Roomer, or attack things that I'm "faster" than. As far as the EV spread goes, I googled "bulky Politoed EV spread" or something like that, and got this. It's been pretty good for me. More SpA would be nice, but keeping him alive is more important. Toed and Foonguss/Thundurus work well together inside TR. Their collective bulk can help in stalling it out, while attacking/spreading status in between.
Thundurus @ Leftovers| Prankster
Calm | 252 HP / 40 SpA / 196 SpD / 20 Spe
Thunder / Taunt / Rain Dance/ Substitute
Another Poke I'd like to keep alive, simply because he's the back up rain setter. I used to run 252 SpA / 252 Spe+, but he was way too fragile, and wasn't terribly effective with only one attacking move. I'm currently trying out the spread suggested by BlankZero. He works well as a lead with Ludicolo, giving me Taunt/Substitute and Fake Out to open with, depending on the situation, and between the two I have BoltBeam coverage. In the event a Ghost is the TR setter, I lead with Thundurus and Politoed. Ghost TRers virtually always come packed with Mental Herb, so I Taunt/Scald, Sub/Encore (with a super slow Toed), Taunt/____; it usually works like a charm. With a bulkier spread, perhaps another attacking move would benefit the team more, in place of Substitute?
Amoonguss @ Black Sludge | Effect Spore
Sassy | 212 HP / 108 Def / 188 SpD / 0 Spe IV's
Spore / Rage Powder / Giga Drain / Protect
Dat trick room spore doe. I love this thing... He's so effective at what he does. Spreading status like a boss, and supporting the team via Rage Powder, it's awesome. I can divert a Fighting type and counter with Psychic with Politoed out or, more importantly, divert Manaphy's weaknesses with ease. Its teammate's Electric, Ice, and Water moves can check its Flying/Fire weakness, but Bug and Ice still give him some problems. In the event of an obvious Electric gimmick, I tend to lead with Ludicolo and Amoonguss, to Fake Out and Spore whatever is more threatening. Spread moves are a pain in my ass though, plus he's pretty obvious taunt-bait, but I only really need one turn to set something up (Tail Glow), and once I'm set up, I don't need him too terribly much, unless there's a Gastrodon lurking.
Manaphy @ Life Orb | Hydration
Timid | 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 SpA
Tail Glow / Rest / Scald / Protect
So, when I first ventured into Doubles, I was looking into which Uber pokemon I could use for a water team, and came across this thing. At first I was like "Why is it Uber?", and then I was like "Oh okay...". I used to run a 252 SpA, 252 Spe+ spread, but it was a bit on the fragile side. More HP has been great for me, allowing me to take un-STAB'd or weak super effective hits and Rest them off. Plus, he hits hard enough with one Tail Glow, God forbid I get in two. With Amoonguss's Rage Powder tanking both its weaknesses, this thing is an absolute beast, allowing him to freely set up, Rest, and attack at will, at any point of the fight as well. He's been tougher to use against better competition (especially early), but if I'm able to wipe out its concerns, I can sweep late game easily.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb | Swift Swim
Modest| 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Fake Out / Giga Drain / Ice Beam / Protect
Ludicolo's probably my favorite Pokemon. I used a bulky set with Rain Dish and Leftovers in my OU rain team and loved it, and originally transitioned that into Doubles. It was great for a while. Late game sweeps were easy, simply because he would be virtually untouchable with two Leech Seeds up. However, once I got rid of Kingdra, I needed a swift swimmer, and he works remarkably well as one. Fake Out is a great addition to the team as well, giving me another Pokemon that supports Manaphy. Fake Out can help me set up, wipe out a threat, or switch out, depending on the situation. I've been on the fence about Modest or Timid nature, but Modest has been just fine so far... Not a whole lot outspeeds it as is, although I'm deathly afraid of max speed Scarf Genesect's U-turn as a result. I've also been wondering whether I should ditch Protect for another attacking move to give me better coverage (which I could certainly use - I'm thinking HP Ground, Fire, or Fighting).
Kyurem-B @ Choice Scarf| Teravolt
Naughty| 4 HP / 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Dragon Claw / Outrage / Fusion Bolt / Ice Beam
This slot had been occupied by special attacking Swift Swim Kingdra, making my entire team full of special attackers. It was fine. Intimidate was neutralized, and a boosted Manaphy was more than enough to kill things. What actually brought me to change out Kingdra was an instance where I saw a Shedinja in team preview, and quit because I realized I had nothing to kill it lololol. Shedinja's obviously not common, but it was a sobering experience. This gives me more balance: A physical presence, another electric move, and boosted speed outside of the rain. It's worked beautifully so far. I can tear holes in teams early, or sweep late. Regardless of what it's locked-in to, it's great having him out with Ludicolo. The speed and power between the two is killer - Dragons, beware. Should a Fighting threat arise, I can switch in Thundurus to take the hit. Rockslide sucks if both of them are out, but that's almost never the case.
This team has done well against most weather teams, Trick Room teams.... Really, just a wide variety. My biggest problems really come when I face people who are clearly more experienced than I am, but I'm getting better. Aside from that, there are a handful of tricks and specific Pokemon that give me problems.
Threats:
I came across Lagala's Thundurus and got wrecked (although it was before I switched out Kingdra, but I don't think it would've mattered). Taunt shut me down, and Thunder finished me off. It was ugly.
Really, any fast Electric type... Anything working a Double Discharge or Disquake combo can cause problems for me.
Of all the weather inducers, this is by far the toughest for me to deal with. I've got nothing that hits it hard, and it can punish virtually my entire team.
Not so much a threat as it is REALLY annoying. It automatically outspeeds my taunter, and usually carries a Focus Sash. This thing is a pain in general, though, I think.
If my Giga Drainer's are dead, this thing walls me pretty hard.
Scizor's the least threatening because of it's lower SpD, but I've got nothing to really hurt these things, and they can do some damage.
Sooo basically, I think this team could really benefit from better coverage, especially in the form of Fire, Ground, or even Fighting. But where could I implement it? Would a Pokemon switch help me? I really like the ones I have now... And how about my EV spreads? Overall, I really like this team, but I know there's room for improvement, be it in the Pokemon, my battling skills, or a combination of the two. What do you think, Smogon? What would you suggest?
Hello Smogon! I'm eastsideman09, and I'm relatively new to Pokemon. I've only been playing Pokemon for the past two summers, and have only been battling online for about two months. Singles in OU was all well and good for me, but Doubles is where it's at! More Pokemon to choose from, more strategies to fight with and against, more viable moves, there's just more! Anyway, let's get on with it.
This is far and away my most successful Doubles team. It's gotten me to where I am in the ladder (I'm sitting at around 1850 right now), and I'd like to get higher. It's undergone a few changes: Kyurem-B is the only one I didn't start with (switched with Kingdra), and other than that, it's just been EV tweaks (which is an area I'd like suggestions on). Onward to details!
Politoed @ Iron Ball | Drizzle
Sassy | 220 HP / 92 Def / 8 SpA / 188 SpD / 0 Spe IV's
Scald / Psychic / Encore / Protect
Iron Ball virtually guarantees Rain vs. another weather inducer, and makes me pretty anti-Trick Room, as I can usually Encore the Trick Roomer, or attack things that I'm "faster" than. As far as the EV spread goes, I googled "bulky Politoed EV spread" or something like that, and got this. It's been pretty good for me. More SpA would be nice, but keeping him alive is more important. Toed and Foonguss/Thundurus work well together inside TR. Their collective bulk can help in stalling it out, while attacking/spreading status in between.
Thundurus @ Leftovers| Prankster
Calm | 252 HP / 40 SpA / 196 SpD / 20 Spe
Thunder / Taunt / Rain Dance/ Substitute
Another Poke I'd like to keep alive, simply because he's the back up rain setter. I used to run 252 SpA / 252 Spe+, but he was way too fragile, and wasn't terribly effective with only one attacking move. I'm currently trying out the spread suggested by BlankZero. He works well as a lead with Ludicolo, giving me Taunt/Substitute and Fake Out to open with, depending on the situation, and between the two I have BoltBeam coverage. In the event a Ghost is the TR setter, I lead with Thundurus and Politoed. Ghost TRers virtually always come packed with Mental Herb, so I Taunt/Scald, Sub/Encore (with a super slow Toed), Taunt/____; it usually works like a charm. With a bulkier spread, perhaps another attacking move would benefit the team more, in place of Substitute?
Amoonguss @ Black Sludge | Effect Spore
Sassy | 212 HP / 108 Def / 188 SpD / 0 Spe IV's
Spore / Rage Powder / Giga Drain / Protect
Dat trick room spore doe. I love this thing... He's so effective at what he does. Spreading status like a boss, and supporting the team via Rage Powder, it's awesome. I can divert a Fighting type and counter with Psychic with Politoed out or, more importantly, divert Manaphy's weaknesses with ease. Its teammate's Electric, Ice, and Water moves can check its Flying/Fire weakness, but Bug and Ice still give him some problems. In the event of an obvious Electric gimmick, I tend to lead with Ludicolo and Amoonguss, to Fake Out and Spore whatever is more threatening. Spread moves are a pain in my ass though, plus he's pretty obvious taunt-bait, but I only really need one turn to set something up (Tail Glow), and once I'm set up, I don't need him too terribly much, unless there's a Gastrodon lurking.
Manaphy @ Life Orb | Hydration
Timid | 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 SpA
Tail Glow / Rest / Scald / Protect
So, when I first ventured into Doubles, I was looking into which Uber pokemon I could use for a water team, and came across this thing. At first I was like "Why is it Uber?", and then I was like "Oh okay...". I used to run a 252 SpA, 252 Spe+ spread, but it was a bit on the fragile side. More HP has been great for me, allowing me to take un-STAB'd or weak super effective hits and Rest them off. Plus, he hits hard enough with one Tail Glow, God forbid I get in two. With Amoonguss's Rage Powder tanking both its weaknesses, this thing is an absolute beast, allowing him to freely set up, Rest, and attack at will, at any point of the fight as well. He's been tougher to use against better competition (especially early), but if I'm able to wipe out its concerns, I can sweep late game easily.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb | Swift Swim
Modest| 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Fake Out / Giga Drain / Ice Beam / Protect
Ludicolo's probably my favorite Pokemon. I used a bulky set with Rain Dish and Leftovers in my OU rain team and loved it, and originally transitioned that into Doubles. It was great for a while. Late game sweeps were easy, simply because he would be virtually untouchable with two Leech Seeds up. However, once I got rid of Kingdra, I needed a swift swimmer, and he works remarkably well as one. Fake Out is a great addition to the team as well, giving me another Pokemon that supports Manaphy. Fake Out can help me set up, wipe out a threat, or switch out, depending on the situation. I've been on the fence about Modest or Timid nature, but Modest has been just fine so far... Not a whole lot outspeeds it as is, although I'm deathly afraid of max speed Scarf Genesect's U-turn as a result. I've also been wondering whether I should ditch Protect for another attacking move to give me better coverage (which I could certainly use - I'm thinking HP Ground, Fire, or Fighting).
Kyurem-B @ Choice Scarf| Teravolt
Naughty| 4 HP / 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Dragon Claw / Outrage / Fusion Bolt / Ice Beam
This slot had been occupied by special attacking Swift Swim Kingdra, making my entire team full of special attackers. It was fine. Intimidate was neutralized, and a boosted Manaphy was more than enough to kill things. What actually brought me to change out Kingdra was an instance where I saw a Shedinja in team preview, and quit because I realized I had nothing to kill it lololol. Shedinja's obviously not common, but it was a sobering experience. This gives me more balance: A physical presence, another electric move, and boosted speed outside of the rain. It's worked beautifully so far. I can tear holes in teams early, or sweep late. Regardless of what it's locked-in to, it's great having him out with Ludicolo. The speed and power between the two is killer - Dragons, beware. Should a Fighting threat arise, I can switch in Thundurus to take the hit. Rockslide sucks if both of them are out, but that's almost never the case.
This team has done well against most weather teams, Trick Room teams.... Really, just a wide variety. My biggest problems really come when I face people who are clearly more experienced than I am, but I'm getting better. Aside from that, there are a handful of tricks and specific Pokemon that give me problems.
Threats:
I came across Lagala's Thundurus and got wrecked (although it was before I switched out Kingdra, but I don't think it would've mattered). Taunt shut me down, and Thunder finished me off. It was ugly.
Really, any fast Electric type... Anything working a Double Discharge or Disquake combo can cause problems for me.
Of all the weather inducers, this is by far the toughest for me to deal with. I've got nothing that hits it hard, and it can punish virtually my entire team.
Not so much a threat as it is REALLY annoying. It automatically outspeeds my taunter, and usually carries a Focus Sash. This thing is a pain in general, though, I think.
If my Giga Drainer's are dead, this thing walls me pretty hard.
Scizor's the least threatening because of it's lower SpD, but I've got nothing to really hurt these things, and they can do some damage.
Sooo basically, I think this team could really benefit from better coverage, especially in the form of Fire, Ground, or even Fighting. But where could I implement it? Would a Pokemon switch help me? I really like the ones I have now... And how about my EV spreads? Overall, I really like this team, but I know there's room for improvement, be it in the Pokemon, my battling skills, or a combination of the two. What do you think, Smogon? What would you suggest?
