Another Rain Dance Team!? [Doubles]

[Vhind]

I recently put this doubles team together after several encounters with Pokemon proving their usefulness in the rain. If you would, please rate my team and help me with any problems that may exist. Thank you.
*However, keep in mind that with my team, I choose accuracy over power. I don't want to leave winning up to chance.*

(Changes in bold)

Ambipom @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
Jolly nature
EVs: 16 HP/252 Atk/240 Spd
- Fake Out
- U-Turn
- Brick Break
- Shadow Claw

This is typically my lead Pokemon, in conjunction with my Vaporeon. With its ability and Life Orb, Ambipom has managed to take out several leads on the first turn using Fake Out. Brick Break is used on common Steel type leads that may be annoying to my team later on while U-Turn is to get some damage in (especially on unsuspecting Psychics) and then surprising the opponent with a new Pokemon to take the attack (typically my Kingdra).

Vaporeon @ Damp Rock
Ability: Water Absorb
Bold nature
EVs: 128 HP/128 SAtk/252 Spd
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
- Helping Hand

My second lead Pokemon, with Ambipom. On the first turn, one of several move combinations take place depending upon the situation presented. If a fast Pokemon is sent out that will do massive damage to Vaporeon, such as Sceptile, I will usually Fake Out said Pokemon and allow Vaporeon to attack it. Or I will Fake Out a noticeable threat in order for Vaporeon to set up Rain Dance. With added HP EVs, Vaporeon manages to survive late-game and this is when Helping Hand really becomes handy. :p

Kingdra @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
Modest nature
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spd
- Surf
- Dragon Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power (Electric)

My Special Sweeper with only one weakness. If Rain Dance has been set up, Kingdra outspeeds every other Pokemon on the field. It hits hard with powerful attacks that does incredible damage to numbers of Pokemon. Its Surf attack not only is STAB'd but heals Vaporeon and Toxicroak. Dragon Pulse is great against dragons that resist its Ice Beam (mostly Legendaries). Dragon Pulse is also a great STAB for neutral damage. Hidden Power (Electric) is to surprise any Flying or Water type Pokemon that show their face on the field.

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
Jolly nature
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
- Brick Break
- Sucker Punch
- Fake Out
- Poison Jab

My Physical Sweeper/Fake Out user/Priority Attacker. It's the perfect target for Psychic attacks and the perfect time for a Sucker Punch. Fake Out is used to gain another turn, late-game, for another one of my Pokemon. I chose Break Break over Cross Chop due to my problem with accuracy. It also helps with any random Barrier users. I originally had X-Scissor instead of Poison Jab, but they essentially have the same type coverage, save the fact that Poison Jab is STAB'd and has the chance of poisoning the opponent.

Lanturn @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
Calm nature
EVs: 40 HP/136 SAtk/252 SDef/80 Spd
- Thunder
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Thunder Wave

A Special Sponge with decent resistance to many types. Lanturn can resist most of the common special attacks (Thunder/Thunderbold, Surf, and Ice Beam) and throw them right back at its own caliber. Thunder Wave is used to slow down faster sweepers and possibly disable them!

Castform @ Expert Belt
Ability: Forecast
Modest nature
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spd
- Energy Ball
- Weather Ball
- Thunder
- Ice Beam

My wild card, Castform. Obviously Castform is going to transform into a water type, but if the weather conditions deny it water, then it shall return the favor to the opposing team with its equally wild Weather Ball. Its other elemental moves are to keep the team well-rounded overall, thus the use of an Expert Belt. Castform is used, almost exclusively, as a back-up Pokemon, hoping to finish off any leftovers.



And there's my Rain Dance team for Doubles. I would greatly appreciate any comments and suggestions you may have for my team!

Once again, thank you.

 

[StarmanXL]

I'm tired, so I can't think of much to say, but let me mention a few things:

Three rain dancers is excessive; you only really need two at the most. I'd get rid of RD on Ambipom, maybe replace it for Shadow Claw so Froslass doesn't laugh at you.

I don't really get why you're using HP Ground on Kingda, when HP Electric would be more useful against opposing RD teams. What do you mean by Lanturn takes electric attacks? How would that make HP Ground more useful? You could use HP Electric to directly heal Lanturn, anyway.

On Toxicroak, go with Life Orb over Black Sludge for extra power. Rain will negate the LO recoil, you can heal from Surf, and, as I've found in my experience in using Toxicroak, LO gives the poison frog the extra umph to take down foes which it lacks without it. I guess you could use Poison Jab against Ludicolo, but I usually found Stone Edge more useful, since it allows you to do something against Gyarados and Salamence.

What's with your Lanturn's EVs? I've never been a real fan of the whole Chesto/Rest thing, since it only works once and if you accidentally get slept you're S.O.L. I find Lefties more reliable, and if you need added recovery, you can always abuse Volt Absorb.

On Castform as well, why do you use that specific EV spread? Eh, other than that, it looks fine.

Watch out for Hail teams, especially the Froslass+Abomasnow lead that's so popular with them. I'll think of more to say later.

 

[Vhind]

Thank you very much, Starman.

I didn't even realize Ambipom knew Shadow Claw; I'll definite fix that.

I suppose with HP Ground, I was overthinking that Electric type Pokemon would be a problem. And also that Lanturn could be the Electric move user as it's more adept at it. So in a way, I was trying to sand off any problems. However, I agree with what you're saying.

Typically, aren't Gyarados and Salamence and the like usually leads in most cases? In my experience, I've taken those kinds of Pokemon down rather quickly. Besides, I like the fact that Poison Jab is STAB'd with 100% accuracy. It's gotten me out of several pickles.

What do you suggest for Lanturn's and Castform's EVs?

 

[StarmanXL]

Salamence and Gyarados make good leads, but they don't uncommonly come out mid-game. But, if things are working out for you, then keep doing it.

For Lanturn, I'd consider the EVs listed in the analysis, 40 HP / 136 SpA / 252 SpD / 80 Spe Calm for the RestTalk set or 40 HP / 36 Spe / 192 SpA / 240 SpD Calm, as they recommend for OU battles.

Looking back on Castform, I'm sure you do better. There are plenty of special sweepers who can take advantage of Rain and have better stats than Castform, such as Starmie, Ludicolo, Gorebyss, Omastar, Lapras, and so on. I'd consider either Ludicolo, who won't give you another Grass weak (you've three at the moment when rain's up), or Politoed who heals from Surf and can bring status into your team with the ever-helpful Hypnosis. And, if you want to go physical, you've always got Kabutops, Azumarill, Poliwrath (who can also Hypnosis), and Floatzel.

 

[Vhind]

I made some of the modifications to my team last night and kicked some serious ass on PBR. Thank you so much! Shadow Claw on Ambipom is a life saver!

I think I wanna go for a Special Sponge Lanturn with Thunder Wave support.

I'm thinking about going for a Ludicolo:
Ludicolo @ Leftovers/Big Root
Ability: Swift Swim
Modest nature
EVs: 152 HP/252 SAtk/104 Spd
- Fake Out
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
- Surf

What do you think about a set such as that?
However, I am tempted to go with a physical sweeper instead....