XY LC Mienfoo Is A Good Dancer

[doomsday doink]

Rain usually isn't considered to be very threatening in Little Cup and is usually deemed useless when compared to the more standard teams. However, I don't really use standard things (those of you who know me will know that) and with the recent emergence of Vulpix + Bellsprout Sun teams, I figured Rain would be a cool and unique way to play against the meta. This is my first RMT (just thought I'd point that out) so please be gentle :3

Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 156 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 80 SpD / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rain Dance
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- U-turn​

Mienfoo is my primary Rain-setter and can easily set up Rain throughout the battle due to its solid bulk and Regenerator. Drain Punch is good STAB and recovery, Knock Off is to hit opposing Ghost-types and cripple foes and U-turn is for momentum. Eviolite is for the added bulk and longevity. The given EVs put Mienfoo at 23/13/12 while still retaining some of its offensive prowess. The Speed EVs are the most important, letting Mienfoo get off a slow U-turn, allowing my sweepers to come in safely. However, I still want to be able to outspeed some threats in order to set up a last minute Rain Dance or cripple them with a Knock Off, hence the 80 Speed.

Chinchou @ Berry Juice
Ability: Volt Absorb
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 212 Def / 152 SpA / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Rain Dance​

Chinchou acts as my secondary and more offensive Rain-setter. Hydro Pump and Thunder are both fantastic under the rain and Hidden Power Ground lets me hit opposing Chinchou and Magnemite. Berry Juice is so that Chinchou can last longer throughout the match and continuously provide rain support. The given EVs and Nature put Chinchou at 25/14/12 and SpAtk EVs let it power through opposing Pokemon.

Anorith @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 HP
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off
- Rock Blast
- Rapid Spin
​

Anorith is a fantastic sweeper both with and without rain. Aqua Jet is for the priority and is boosted by rain, Knock Off is for crippling Pokemon and hitting Misdreavus, Rock Blast is the main STAB and Rapid Spin is for hazard removal, making it easier for my Rain-setters to switch in and out. Life Orb lets it put a huge dent in anything that doesn’t resist it and the 0 IVs in HP are to reduce the Life Orb recoil. Max Spe and Max SpAtk are for sweeping capabilities and Adamant Nature lets Anorith hit 20 Atk, making it even more threatening.

Omanyte @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 196 SpA / 72 SpD / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Earth Power​

Omanyte is my late game sweeper and functions incredibly well under the rain. Hydro Pump is for the sheer power, Ice Beam and Earth Power are for coverage, and Surf is for a more accurate means of dishing damage. Choice Specs are fantastic for cleaning up late game, letting Omanyte plow through anything that doesn’t resist it. Modest Nature is for sheer power and the EVs let Omanyte outspeed Scarf Pawniard in the Rain and secure some valuable KOs with Surf/Hydro Pump.

Croagunk @ Eviolite
Ability: Dry Skin
Level: 5
EVs: 132 HP / 28 Atk / 116 Def / 108 SpA / 116 SpD
Quiet Nature
- Drain Punch
- Sludge Bomb
- Vacuum Wave
- Knock Off​

Croagunk acts as the glue to this team, being able to switch in on Knock Offs and Fighting-type moves that I don’t need my other team members taking. Dry Skin is a great form of recovery and increases Croagunk’s longevity. Drain Punch is a solid STAB and good means of recovery, Sludge Bomb hits most things that resist the Fighting STAB, Vacuum Wave is for finishing off weakened foes and Knock Off is still just a fantastic form of coverage and utility in the current meta. The EVs put Croagunk at 23/12/12 and let it reach 13 Atk and 15 SpAtk, giving it both a solid defensive and offensive presence. Quiet Nature is so that it can be both a bulky pivot and a strong mixed attacker.

Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
- Sucker Punch​

Bulky Pawniard is a great hazard setter for this team and provides a nice typing that differs from the rest of my team. Eviolite is for the added defense boosts (as usual). Knock Off is a great STAB for crippling opposing walls, Iron Head works as a STAB coverage move, Stealth Rock is because hazards and Sucker Punch is to deal with faster threats that would otherwise cause bulky Pawniard some trouble. The given EVs put Pawniard at 21/14/12 so it can take some solid hits and still be able to set up Stealth Rock, all while retaining some of Pawniard’s excellent offensive capabilities.

Threats:
The biggest threat to this team is Drilbur which, unless I have rain up, can easily get rid of 1-2 Pokemon before I can put a stop to it. Croagunk can come in relatively easy and heal up with Dry Skin under the rain. SubNP Missy can also cause some trouble if I don't have rain up. Foongus can also cause some problems, but to a lesser extent.

Shoutouts:
Shoutout to queenlucy for helping me test this team multiple times, for helping to organize this RMT and for thinking of the name. Shoutout to TheFenderStory for helping in the construction of the team and a quick shoutout to Splashyship cuz rain.

Importable

Mienfoo @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 156 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 80 SpD / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rain Dance
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- U-turn

Chinchou @ Berry Juice
Ability: Volt Absorb
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 212 Def / 152 SpA / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Rain Dance

Anorith @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 176 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 HP
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off
- Rock Blast
- Rapid Spin

Omanyte @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 5
EVs: 196 SpA / 72 SpD / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Earth Power

Croagunk @ Eviolite
Ability: Dry Skin
Level: 5
EVs: 132 HP / 28 Atk / 116 Def / 108 SpA / 116 SpD
Quiet Nature
- Drain Punch
- Sludge Bomb
- Vacuum Wave
- Knock Off

Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
- Sucker Punch

 

[Catlover1984]

Just a little EV nitpick, but if you want maximum overall bulk for Chinchou, then move the HP EVs into SpD. The special bulk that you gain is greater than the physical bulk that you loose. Of course, if Chinchou was meant to be physically defensive, then don't worry about that.
Also, what's with the 30 SpA ivs on Omanyte? it doesn't affect anything, I'm just curious.

 

[antemortem]

Mienfoo running Acrobatics might prove somewhat problematic, especially if rain isn't up. Otherwise I really don't see a lot of major flaws with this team. It looks very solid and I'm impressed at the ingenuity behind using things like Anorith as an alternate spinner that also takes advantage of the rain. I wish you could run Damp Rock over either Berry Juice on Chinchou or Eviolite on Mienfoo but both are crucial so giving up that slot is tricky.

 

[doomsday doink]

Mienfoo running Acrobatics might prove somewhat problematic, especially if rain isn't up. Otherwise I really don't see a lot of major flaws with this team. It looks very solid and I'm impressed at the ingenuity behind using things like Anorith as an alternate spinner that also takes advantage of the rain. I wish you could run Damp Rock over either Berry Juice on Chinchou or Eviolite on Mienfoo but both are crucial so giving up that slot is tricky.

Yeah, unless I can easily deal with it, I tend not to Knock Off opposing Mienfoos due to the rise in AcroFoo so that Croagunk can easily check it. And the ability to run Damp Rock would be great, but as you mentioned, Berry Juice and Eviolite are too important in order to continuously get up rain throughout the match.

 

[absdaddy]

The only little change i'd make is changing item on Omanyte: Both Splash Plate and LO provide absurd power for your STAB under rain which is the move you are going to spam the most while not locking/forcing you to switch vs bad matchup wasting rain turns at the same time. I've tried pure RD+3 helix with Life orb and power was more than enough. Can't think of a situation where power difference between Specs and LO is noticeable. Nice team otherwise and it's nice to see underused strategy put to good use.

 

[doomsday doink]

The only little change i'd make is changing item on Omanyte: Both Splash Plate and LO provide absurd power for your STAB under rain which is the move you are going to spam the most while not locking/forcing you to switch vs bad matchup wasting rain turns at the same time. I've tried pure RD+3 helix with Life orb and power was more than enough. Can't think of a situation where power difference between Specs and LO is noticeable. Nice team otherwise and it's nice to see underused strategy put to good use.

OOOOOOOHHHHHH Splash Plate, I'm gonna try that, cuz I really only need the power to hit stuff with Surf/Hydro Pump. Gracias, abs.