Hi folks. I am new to competitive battling and would like to post my team up for rating. It’s a basic Rain Dance offense team with Thunder abuse being the big gimmick; most of the sets and spreads are close to those in the analyses.
This team has been my most reliable so far. Its first incarnation won me my first-ever Shoddy battle, so I decided to keep that theme and tweak the Pokemon a bit. So far, there are 6 versions of this team; I am posting the most recent. I am proud of this team and would like as many opinions as I can get.
Please be relentless, but constructive.
I'll put the pics back later. Still dk how most of this works so please bear with me XD
AT A GLANCE
----------------------------
Swampert Scizor Kingdra Ludicolo Starmie Magnezone
DETAILED
----------------------------
THE LEAD
SWAMPERT@Damp Rock
252 HP / 4 ATK / 252 DEF (Relaxed)
TORRENT
Earthquake
Ice Beam
Stealth Rock
Rain Dance
My lead used to be an Azelf, but it lacked staying power. I later read on a forum post that Swampert makes a bulky, effective lead that can also prove handy later in the game. Knowing this (and that Swampert was my first Pokemon ever) I decided to try it out.
Swampert has worked wonders for me ever since I started using it. It can set up with impunity on most leads—either taking relatively minor hits or scaring the other lead out entirely—and even takes out the occasional Aerodactyl or Heatran bold enough to stay in. Its lingering Stealth Rocks are a great asset to the rest of the team, facilitating sweeps and softening up problem opponents; since I have four other Rain Dancers, rocks are my priority when using Swampert. Should it be threatened by a potential Leaf Storm, I can switch to Scizor and let her Rain Dance and deal hits.
In just about every battle, I have been able to send Swampert in after its initial appearance. Sometimes I get Rapid Spun (is that correct?) and find an opportunity to lay the hazard again; other times I have to take out a Dragon or a Tyranitar or something. Swampert is extremely durable in the face of such threats, but it lacks recovery. Since I rarely use it to Rain Dance, I might switch the item to Leftovers or something.
Pic: http://silverdolphin324.deviantart.com/art/Dark-Swampert-119228487
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE REPLENISHER
SCIZOR@Damp Rock
200 HP / 252 ATK / 56 SPE (Adamant)
TECHNICIAN
Bullet Punch
U-turn
Pursuit
Rain Dance
This oft-seen beauty is my primary Rain Dancer and scout. Typically, by the second turn, the opponent has brought out something that scares Swampert or has otherwise rendered it unsuitable to stay in. I switch to Scizor to summon the rain and usually U-turn to see what they bring in. Sometimes they bring out a Celebi or something that isn’t too good for the rest of the team; in that case, I beat that up before setting up rain. I’ll inevitably switch back to Scizor to revenge or to sponge attacks, anyways.
Bullet Punch works wonders on Aerodactyl, Tyranitar, Mamoswine, etc., as well as being my last-ditch attack. U-turn has saved my life against all sorts of Grass- and Dark-types. Pursuit has dented Blissey and taken out a few Rotom.
Pic: It’s the Neo Discovery card art, so thanks to Kimiya Masago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHYSICAL
KINGDRA@Leftovers
180 HP / 252 ATK / 76 SPE (Adamant)
SWIFT SWIM
Waterfall
Outrage
Dragon Dance
Rain Dance
A rain team without a Kingdra is like a hamburger without the bun: it’s what makes it work. And this guy works. In fact, after a few DDs, he took out a whole entire team. I am a believer.
Kingdra usually comes in on a kill or a Fire attack aimed at Scizor. Once in, he threatens everybody with a (Rain-boosted) Waterfall or an Outrage (if they resist Waterfall). If I know they’ll switch out, I just DD as is practical and keep zipping along even when the rain runs out. If Kingdra’s on his way out, he can attack or Rain Dance with his last breath.
This horsey can take a surprising number of hits; I’ve seen it comfortably survive Choiced attacks from all sorts of aggressors and strike back ferociously. This Kingdra has produced more early forfeits and “gg”s than I could ever have imagined.
The pic’s from arkeis.com
--------------------------------------------
SPECIAL
LUDICOLO@Life Orb
4 DEF / 252 SPE / 252 SPA (Modest)
SWIFT SWIM
Surf
Ice Beam
Grass Knot
Rain Dance
Ludicolo, the big happy duck. Originally, this guy was a Swords Dancer and Kingdra was the special attacker, but I grew tired of not doing enough immediate damage. The role reversal has proved a good idea, though.
Ludicolo is my primary form of retaliation to all sorts of nasties. It handles Gliscor, Salamence, Dragonite, even Gyarados… Although it has a problem switching into boosted attacks, it can take a few hits, and its own attacks prove much more potent. I find myself switching this into Earthquakes and Grass attacks. Grass Knot takes care of heavyweights like Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Hippowdon, Gyarados, and Snorlax in dire situations. Ice Beam is important against the Dragons, Gliscor, and Grass-types. Surf swamps most everything else.
I used to run Focus Punch for Blissey, but Ludicolo took too much status.
Another Arkeis pic.
-----------------------------------------------
SPINNER/PINCH HITTER
STARMIE@Leftovers
136 HP / 156 DEF / 216 SPE (Timid)
NATURAL CURE
Rapid Spin
Surf
Thunder
Rain Dance
Once I started getting screwed over by entry hazards and whatnot, I decided to get a spinner. Starmie seemed to fit; it could take advantage of rain and dish a little damage while still being able to remove hazards. Starmie also absorbs immediate status threats like Thunder Wave and Toxic.
Rain Dance is to support the team, and Surf is standard STAB. Thunder is the surprise factor. I have seen people leave their guys in on it, confident they’ll survive the Thunderbolt, only to be struck down or paralyzed by Thunder. That’s another thing—Starmie excels at neutering speedy things and Choicers. It outruns the Banders and Speccers and cripples the Scarfers. Again, if things look grim, there’s Rain Dance to do some good on the way out.
Yeah, it’s the Sugimori art. Bleahh.
---------------------------------------------------------
THE TRUMP CARD?
MAGNEZONE@Wise Glasses
172 HP / 84 SPE / 252 SPA (Modest)
MAGNET PULL
Thunder
Hidden Power Grass
Flash Cannon
Metal Sound
The most recent addition to the team. This slot has been occupied by Rotom-W, Bronzong, Swampert, and guess-which-2-of-the-legendary-dogs. I realized, however, that I was getting humiliated by every Vaporeon that came in against me. So I picked the first thing I thought of that could pose an immediate threat to it. As it turns out, however, the Electric Eye is useful against all kinds of threats.
Thunder is the rain abuse and the surprise factor. It completely violates anything that doesn’t resist it or isn’t named Blissey. For the former, I have Hidden Power Grass (to combat Grounds and such) and Flash Cannon (mainly for neutral hits). For the latter, there’s Metal Sound. I can punch a thick-enough hole in a Blissey’s defenses that a couple of lightning strikes will boil the egg. Metal Sound is also useful for Calm Minders and for causing switches—except switches of Steels, which get fryolated.
http://zaemii.deviantart.com/art/Magnezone-111935777
This team has been my most reliable so far. Its first incarnation won me my first-ever Shoddy battle, so I decided to keep that theme and tweak the Pokemon a bit. So far, there are 6 versions of this team; I am posting the most recent. I am proud of this team and would like as many opinions as I can get.
Please be relentless, but constructive.
I'll put the pics back later. Still dk how most of this works so please bear with me XD
AT A GLANCE
----------------------------
Swampert Scizor Kingdra Ludicolo Starmie Magnezone
DETAILED
----------------------------
KEY RAIN DANCERS
SWAMPERT@Damp Rock
252 HP / 4 ATK / 252 DEF (Relaxed)
TORRENT
Earthquake
Ice Beam
Stealth Rock
Rain Dance
My lead used to be an Azelf, but it lacked staying power. I later read on a forum post that Swampert makes a bulky, effective lead that can also prove handy later in the game. Knowing this (and that Swampert was my first Pokemon ever) I decided to try it out.
Swampert has worked wonders for me ever since I started using it. It can set up with impunity on most leads—either taking relatively minor hits or scaring the other lead out entirely—and even takes out the occasional Aerodactyl or Heatran bold enough to stay in. Its lingering Stealth Rocks are a great asset to the rest of the team, facilitating sweeps and softening up problem opponents; since I have four other Rain Dancers, rocks are my priority when using Swampert. Should it be threatened by a potential Leaf Storm, I can switch to Scizor and let her Rain Dance and deal hits.
In just about every battle, I have been able to send Swampert in after its initial appearance. Sometimes I get Rapid Spun (is that correct?) and find an opportunity to lay the hazard again; other times I have to take out a Dragon or a Tyranitar or something. Swampert is extremely durable in the face of such threats, but it lacks recovery. Since I rarely use it to Rain Dance, I might switch the item to Leftovers or something.
Pic: http://silverdolphin324.deviantart.com/art/Dark-Swampert-119228487
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE REPLENISHER
SCIZOR@Damp Rock
200 HP / 252 ATK / 56 SPE (Adamant)
TECHNICIAN
Bullet Punch
U-turn
Pursuit
Rain Dance
This oft-seen beauty is my primary Rain Dancer and scout. Typically, by the second turn, the opponent has brought out something that scares Swampert or has otherwise rendered it unsuitable to stay in. I switch to Scizor to summon the rain and usually U-turn to see what they bring in. Sometimes they bring out a Celebi or something that isn’t too good for the rest of the team; in that case, I beat that up before setting up rain. I’ll inevitably switch back to Scizor to revenge or to sponge attacks, anyways.
Bullet Punch works wonders on Aerodactyl, Tyranitar, Mamoswine, etc., as well as being my last-ditch attack. U-turn has saved my life against all sorts of Grass- and Dark-types. Pursuit has dented Blissey and taken out a few Rotom.
Pic: It’s the Neo Discovery card art, so thanks to Kimiya Masago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE S.S. SWEEPERS
KINGDRA@Leftovers
180 HP / 252 ATK / 76 SPE (Adamant)
SWIFT SWIM
Waterfall
Outrage
Dragon Dance
Rain Dance
A rain team without a Kingdra is like a hamburger without the bun: it’s what makes it work. And this guy works. In fact, after a few DDs, he took out a whole entire team. I am a believer.
Kingdra usually comes in on a kill or a Fire attack aimed at Scizor. Once in, he threatens everybody with a (Rain-boosted) Waterfall or an Outrage (if they resist Waterfall). If I know they’ll switch out, I just DD as is practical and keep zipping along even when the rain runs out. If Kingdra’s on his way out, he can attack or Rain Dance with his last breath.
This horsey can take a surprising number of hits; I’ve seen it comfortably survive Choiced attacks from all sorts of aggressors and strike back ferociously. This Kingdra has produced more early forfeits and “gg”s than I could ever have imagined.
The pic’s from arkeis.com
--------------------------------------------
SPECIAL
LUDICOLO@Life Orb
4 DEF / 252 SPE / 252 SPA (Modest)
SWIFT SWIM
Surf
Ice Beam
Grass Knot
Rain Dance
Ludicolo, the big happy duck. Originally, this guy was a Swords Dancer and Kingdra was the special attacker, but I grew tired of not doing enough immediate damage. The role reversal has proved a good idea, though.
Ludicolo is my primary form of retaliation to all sorts of nasties. It handles Gliscor, Salamence, Dragonite, even Gyarados… Although it has a problem switching into boosted attacks, it can take a few hits, and its own attacks prove much more potent. I find myself switching this into Earthquakes and Grass attacks. Grass Knot takes care of heavyweights like Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Hippowdon, Gyarados, and Snorlax in dire situations. Ice Beam is important against the Dragons, Gliscor, and Grass-types. Surf swamps most everything else.
I used to run Focus Punch for Blissey, but Ludicolo took too much status.
Another Arkeis pic.
-----------------------------------------------
THE SUPPORTING CAST
STARMIE@Leftovers
136 HP / 156 DEF / 216 SPE (Timid)
NATURAL CURE
Rapid Spin
Surf
Thunder
Rain Dance
Once I started getting screwed over by entry hazards and whatnot, I decided to get a spinner. Starmie seemed to fit; it could take advantage of rain and dish a little damage while still being able to remove hazards. Starmie also absorbs immediate status threats like Thunder Wave and Toxic.
Rain Dance is to support the team, and Surf is standard STAB. Thunder is the surprise factor. I have seen people leave their guys in on it, confident they’ll survive the Thunderbolt, only to be struck down or paralyzed by Thunder. That’s another thing—Starmie excels at neutering speedy things and Choicers. It outruns the Banders and Speccers and cripples the Scarfers. Again, if things look grim, there’s Rain Dance to do some good on the way out.
Yeah, it’s the Sugimori art. Bleahh.
---------------------------------------------------------
THE TRUMP CARD?
MAGNEZONE@Wise Glasses
172 HP / 84 SPE / 252 SPA (Modest)
MAGNET PULL
Thunder
Hidden Power Grass
Flash Cannon
Metal Sound
The most recent addition to the team. This slot has been occupied by Rotom-W, Bronzong, Swampert, and guess-which-2-of-the-legendary-dogs. I realized, however, that I was getting humiliated by every Vaporeon that came in against me. So I picked the first thing I thought of that could pose an immediate threat to it. As it turns out, however, the Electric Eye is useful against all kinds of threats.
Thunder is the rain abuse and the surprise factor. It completely violates anything that doesn’t resist it or isn’t named Blissey. For the former, I have Hidden Power Grass (to combat Grounds and such) and Flash Cannon (mainly for neutral hits). For the latter, there’s Metal Sound. I can punch a thick-enough hole in a Blissey’s defenses that a couple of lightning strikes will boil the egg. Metal Sound is also useful for Calm Minders and for causing switches—except switches of Steels, which get fryolated.
http://zaemii.deviantart.com/art/Magnezone-111935777
