A "Refined" Rain Dance Team: Team Downpour

Calfo

This is a team that has been improved through the help of RaikouLover(Erik) and Justinawe(Justin), two friends of mine on Smogon's Shoddy Battle Server. This team is designed for competitive battle on Shoddy, and is centered around establishing a Rain Dance, and then abusing the speed of Swift Simmers! My team is ordered semi-chronologically, or as close to it as a general pattern of battle will allow.


deoxyse.png

My Lead: "Kenyans" aka Deoxys-E (speed)

Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpclAtk)
Damp Rock Equipped (will be referred to as DR)
252 Speed, 252 HP, 6 Attack

Superpower
Stealth Rock
Taunt
Rain Dance

Deoxys's primary role in my team is to start the downpour, but it also has many of the moves equipped required to eliminate or counter some of the most common leads in the OU metagame, in the process. Superpower makes the perfect counter to those ever present Weavile and Tyranitar leads, the latter of which must be countered early, as Sandstream can put a real damper on a rain dance team (no pun intended). Taunt prevents the establishment of a DD Gyarados, as well as Agili-cross or any form of a sub-seeder. Non-standard leads such as Smeargle also get completely owned by taunt. Stealth rock is for a predicted switch or if I can take a hit from something weak, but occasionally is not set in my matches, as I find it is not instrumental to my victories. And when the future of Deoxys looks bleak, the storm clouds roll in...
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A Mixed Sweeper: "Seabiscuit" aka Kingdra

Naughty Nature (+atk, -SpclDef)
Life Orb Equipped
252 Special Attack, 88 Speed, 168 Attack

Signal Beam
Dragon Pulse
Waterfall
Hidden Power (Electric)

The typing of Kingdra leaves only one weakness, other dragons, which is no problem. Kingdra's swift-swimming speed allows it to leave other dragons crippled in its wake. Signal Beam,an unexpected and quite potent special attack, is an excellent surprise for those Celebi who think they can just switch right in. Waterfall with STAB (same type attack bonus) combined with the rain is a nasty physical attack that helps to take care of a Blissey, switching in, which thinks my Kingdra is all special all the time. Dragon Pulse is a STAB attack for those other dragons, and serves as a go to move when water, bug, and electricity is week. HP electric is explicitly for bulky waters and more specifically Gyarados. By the time Kingdra meets its demise, the storm is beginning to clear and I need another Rain Dance...
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The Hit and Runner: "Kamikazi" aka Electrode

Hasty Nature (+Speed, -Defence)
Equipped with DR
252 Speed, 252 Attack, 6 Special Attack

Taunt
Thunder
Rain Dance
EXPLOSION

Electrode has become a standard on Rain Dance teams due to his extremely fast Rain Dance, STAB Thunder, and EXPLOSIONNNNN! In the event that I do not know the rest of my opponents team, and I send in Electrode, instead of exploding right away, I will thunder to scout for a ghost. I waste not when it comes to my pokes (even if Deoxys sort of takes one for the team). Not much explanation is required in Electrode's role and strategy, other than to say he is incremental in the establishment of my next sweep.
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(yeah, he's big, but so is his... role)

The First Physical Sweeper: "Stoner" aka Qwilfish

Adamant Nature (+ Attack, - Special Attack)
Life Orb Equipped
252 Attack, 252 Speed, 6 HP

Rain Dance
Poison Jab
Waterfall
EXPLOSION

Qwilfish is similar to Electrode in his ability to set up Rain Dance and go BOOM!, but is different in his physical sweeping abilities. STAB Poison Jab and Waterfall, combined with an explosive nature (this time pun intended) allow it to hit hard, fast, and go out with a bang (no pun intended). If I am completely walled, or the going gets rough, I may use Rain Dance to keep the storm reigning (another pun!), and then explode. As a side note, if you actually are reading all of this, please type Refrigeratr in your response so I can recognize you for your patronage of this post. Needless to say, Qwilfish is "the bomb". (I'm killing myself laughing)
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The End-game Physical Sweeper: "Tickler" aka Kabutops (personal favorite)

Adamant Nature (+attack, - spcl attk)
Life Orb Equipped
200 HP, 56 Speed, 254 Attack

X-Scizzor
Waterfall
Rockslide
Brickbreak

Although the typing of Kabutops leaves quite a bit to be desired defensively, his typing allows for some absolutely brutal STAB hits. Thanks to swift swim, Kabutops can finally use rockslide to its full flinching potential, as with waterfall. Waterfall of course is the go to move, which, combined with 361 Attack, rain, and STAB, equals about the power of Niagra Falls (the Canadian one, not our dinky American neighbor) There isn't much to say other than that Kabutops may supercede Kingdra depending on the team I am playing, but will almost always come after Qwilfish and sweep in the late game, seeing as he does not possess Rain Dance in his deadly arsenal. His EV training allows him to outrun all but naturally fast pokemon sporting scarfs, which I am begining to think twice about.
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suicune.png


Suck on this Garchomp: "Tsunami" aka Suicune

Bold Nature (+Defense, -attack)
Damp Rock Equipped
252 Defense, 252 HP, 6 Special Attack

Ice Beam
Roar
Surf
Rain Dance

Suicune is a member of my team whose importance I often question. Chomps are often out sped by my sweepers, but Suicune's ability to destroy our hammerheaded nemesis should not go unmentioned. Furthermore, Suicune can set up a rain dance against a sweeper, which no other member (besides the dispensable Deoxys and Electrode) can do, while still fulfilling his role in the party. If something switches in thinking it can set up against the offensively limited movepool on the standard Suicune, think again, because I am packing a sick set of pipes. Breloom, Togekiss, and every other poke who thinks it can set up on this cool cat is sadly mistaken. And when the end is in sight, whenever it may be, I use Rain Dance, allowing for stronger surfs and a safe switch for my next sweeper. I placed Suicune at the end of this RMT because it has no specific place in the party, it just sorta appears in the middle of my battles when the storm is clearing up, or chomp rears its ugly head from around the corner. Although Suicune counters Garchomp and other x4 ice / x2 or x0 water weak pokes, it's moves are simply an encore of those of my sweepers. I am more than willing to take suggestions on a Tsunami replacement!
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In conclusion, this is a Rain Dance team I like to call Team Downpour. It outspeeds nearly all members of the metagame by abusing the ability swiftswim, and uses a variety of sweepers to rampage through an often ill prepared team. I have 3 sweepers, and 3 setters, which constitute a very effective, but still improvable, rain dance team. If you read all of this I applaud you, and thank you, so without further ado, RMT.
 
Thanks!

Floatzel could be a great addition, serves as another physical sweeper, is rather bulky, and swift swims! Great contribution and I will consider it.
 
I am the "friend on shoddy" he was talking about, one of them anyways. Don't go on smogon much or tried helping him make a good rain dance team because he never said he needed a good one or uh something like that.

Did help him with making a SS team, a great one, but he seems to like rain dance teams better. Anyhow, he wanted me to rate his team. And I say perhaps you could change Deoxys e for brozong, it would be good typing for your team because you got plenty fire resistances to back it up.

But I think you chose Deoxys E because of taunt for hypnosis, so the foe couldnt put you to sleep and stop you from rain dancing, but that doesnt really seem a problem, with deoxys.

Even though I am not very experienced with rain dance teams I am very experienced with SS teams and Hail teams.

I mean it is cool you are using like electrode and quilfish and stuff but realistically I mean you probably should use a few better pokemon like tentacruel instead of quilfish.I know it would make it not as fun but I really think it would be better.
 
Qwilfish has swift swim and explosion. two things tentacruel cant touch. Also, you weren't one of the friends I mentioned at the top of my thread because you didn't help me with this rain dance team at all = P ... But I will consider bronzong.
 
Refrigeratr!

Floatzel isn't a bad idea, but I'm not sure where you would have room for it. Floatzel could carry Aqua Jet though, which may be a very good idea to have on your team. Kabutops gets Aqua Jet too though, so you may want to add that onto him for the speedy Choice Scarf users you were talking about. That would also be good just for a final hit. People will try to send in things that will outspeed you. Let them outspeed you turn one, get in a nice hit, and then finish them off with aqua jet before you die.

Just a thought. Good team tough; I like it.

Mind checking the team in my sig?
 
Seems like an original team, you've got to be the first person I've seen use a qwilfish. Out of curiosity, what is the life expectancy of your deoxys? I find it strange that such a fragile pokemon is being used mainly a supporter, but I guess I'd have to see it to beleive it. Oh, and props for the pro-Canadian comment.
 
I believe I've faced you on the server. Or at least someone that used the exact same team. I can't remember the outcome but it was a good team. You might want a ground type because I don't see how you can counter a fast Elecrtic type but I thought it was annoying in battle even if you weren't the user of it.
 
Wolfie, I am confused about the pro-canadian comment (did I make one?) and the only fast electric poke is Electivire with motor drive bonus (I have 1 electric attack on my team) and Jolteon (Who I outspeed in the rain). And I have temporarily switched Deox over to a Crobat, just for a re-usable RD set up.
 
Actually, I would recommend Azumarill if you want to run Floatzel. Floatzel usually should only be passing Bulk Up boosts; as a general sweeper, Azumarill doesn't require boosting, is able to take hits with decent 100/80/80 defenses and makes an excellent CBer. Unfortunately, the number of illegal movesets with it may dissuade some people from using it. Lack of Swift Swim isn't a problem when you're running a priority move and the defenses to withstand those from the opposition.

It really depends on you, I leave that option open, so good luck with your team. ^_^
 
Refrigeratr :o

I really think you should use Rain Dance on Kingdra and use Calm Mind on Suicune. Kingdra always needs Rain support :\.

Other than that, this team is really good.

And btw, Electrode does almost the same thing as Deoxys-e. You could replace it with Ludicolo, but if it helps you a lot, then don't.
 
I recently came across a set on smogon that would make a possible deoxys replacement. This is it:

Persian @ Focus Sash/Damp Rock
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Technician
Ev's: 4Hp/252Att/252Spe
Moves:
-Hypnosis
-Rain Dance
-Fake Out/Taunt
-U-Turn
Fake Out with STAB and a tech boost can pick off weakend pokes, as well as break sashes. Hypnosis cripples your opponent and allows you to set up rain dance. U-turn can be used to avoid having your sash broken to sandstorm or hail (and hits abomasnow for super effective damage) to a counter and lets persian escape unscathed while scouting for a counter. What deoxys has over this set is obviosly superpower to KO t-tar and abomasnow. It may be a solid set if you plan on making your team UU.
 
Thanks for the build, its quite novel, but I think I will use crobat. He accomplishes the same things, but uses taunt over fake out, and is quite fast. Thanks though!
 
The only big problem I see with this team is Electrode. He's pretty fragile and won't be able to do much but use one move if he's in the face of a sweeper who can take a hit from him. I'd suggest you use Jirachi Instead. While Jirachi may not carry Taunt or Explosion, he has the advantage of being around a lot longer during a battle. Therefore, you'll be able to keep Rain Dance going longer. Jirachi will also give you wish support, allowing your Pokemon to live longer since they all lack recovery moves. This set will do nicely for you;

Jirachi @ Damp Rock
Ability: Serene Grace
252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- U-Turn
- Wish

I would also suggest putting Calm Mind over Rain Dance on Suicune. Calm Mind is it's best asset in my opinion and allows it to do more damage (and take more damage for that matter) then Rain Dance ever would.
 
A sash might help on electrode as it gaurantees a turn to rain dance/taunt. Rain dance would get rid of hail and sandstorm so you only need to worry about your sash being broken from attacks or stealth rock. After having your sash broken and being reduced to 1 hp go boom. Milotic could replace suicune (I don't like using legendaries whether they are Uber or not) and you would gain a possible status in the form of hypnosis or toxic and access to a reliable recovery at the cost of the ability to phaze. Ludicolo is another solid option for this team as it is a great user of rain dance and brings other waters down with ease. (regarding garchomp ludicolo resists earthquake and can OHKO with ice beam.)
 
I use three rain dance OU teams, but I like this one. If you want some advices, here they are:

a) I'm not sure... To tell the truth as a lead I'm using Porygon2, Bronzong and Jirachi. I know, Deoxys-S is the fastest Taunt user, but I'm not sure if he's the best Rain Dance starter here. But if it works fine, then I can't argue about it ;). I think Electrode could be your starting pokemon and you can change Deoxys-S on being more sweeping oriented, if something will stop you from starting Rain Dance. I agree that Psycho Boost is good idea, because he won't be attacking so often and he needs as much power as possible. You can also consider putting here Reflect to save your Deoxys from Pursuit users in place of Stealth Rock probably. Focus Sashers are rare anyway, which aren't leads and your sweepers deals more then enough damage to KO most things.
b) Nothing to say about Kingdra. Looks fine, maybe just put here Rain Dance in place of Signal Beam if your Rain ends when Kingdra is on battlefield.
c) Interesting choice - Electrode. But I need to say that his too fragile for me and without Rapid Spinner Focus Sash will be useless. And he can't switch to many things in OU without loosing huge amount of hp. I think you could change it on another poke or use him as a lead. My proposition ? Maybe you can try to use here Hariyama or Machamp ? Both of them are bulky enough to come back few times in battle if needed. Thanks to Thick Fat Hariyama is really easy to switch on some attacks, same goes for Machamp. But I think Hariyama is here a little bit better choice. I'm using this Hariyama:

Hariyama@ Leftovers/Damp Rock (I'm using Damp Rock)
Trait: Thick Fat (Guts can also work to absorb status, especially paralysis which could ruin your Kingdra and Kabutops sweep, which Hariyama doesn't mind, because his really slow anyway)
EVs: 80 HP/176 Attack/252 Defence (or Special Defence) Impish/Calm (But I'm using Impish one for countering Physical Sweepers, but Calm is fine if you prefer to counter Special Hits better)
Move 1: Rain Dance
Move 2: Revenge (being slow as hell helps him to maximize power of his revenge. And perfect accuracy helps here too)
Move 3: Bullet Punch
Move 4: Ice Punch/ThunderPunch/Stone Edge (I'm using Thunder Punch on Suspect Test and Ice Punch on standard)

I'm sure that ur gonna ask - Why Bullet Punch ? Simple - to make him usefull when his hp is really low (especially after countering Garchomp) and to finish those fragile special sweepers like Azelf and Gengar, which could try to stop you from activating Rain. And he can always finish some troublesome foes with that Buller Punch. If you want, invest more EVs in HP to make him even more bulky. And his really good on scaring and countering Abomasnow and Tyranitars, which could ruin your weather sweep. Same goes for Machamp anyway.

Or try this Machamp:

Machamp@ Leftovers/Life Orb/Damp Rock
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP/ 160 Attack/ 96 Defence|Special Defence (or invest some EVs in Speed)
Move 1: Rain Dance
Move 2: DynamicPunch
Move 3: Ice Punch/ThunderPunch/Stone Edge
Move 4: Bullet Punch/Light Screen/Encore.

DynamicPunch for powerfull STAB and status, Bullet Punch for priority attack, Light Screen helps him taking much better special hits and cover your team. Light Screen is egg move on Machamp. With Encore he counters all Tyranitar and Abomasnow sets, encoring for example their substitutes. I'm using Bullet Punch in last slot, but Light Screen and Encore makes him an interesting team player. With Suicune both Hariyama and Machamp cooperate kinda well.
d) Qwilfish - Cool pokemon, I like it ;). It looks fine, maybe you can try to use in place of Explosion Destiny Bond, which will finish those ghost and steels, which could try to absorb Explosion. And with rain is fast enough to use it well. But it needs some prediction. But nothing else to say - looks fine.
e) Kabutops - Yeah, that's a beast, also my favourite sweeper in Rain Dance. I'm using it like normal sweeper with Life Orb. Deals good enough damage. But if yours is Choice Banded, then you made good choice for late game sweep ;). You can also think about Aqua Jet here.
f) This one also looks fine, maybe try to use here Crocune or standard Calm Minder to give him some sweeping potential if needed. But it's not neccesary, this one with Roar is fine also.

In other words, I like your team. Interesting pokemon (yeah, especially Electrode and Qwilfish :D), good strategy and balanced in offense and defence. I'm not only sure about Deoxys and Electrode here. My proposition is to put Electrode on lead and add some solid tank (maybe you'll like my Hariyama and Machamp propositions ? :D) to continue with rain if needed. Cheers.
 
Just as a heads up, on shoddy you can use tool>>export to text to get a standardized text version of your team. Refrigerator too.
 
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