Politoed @ Leftovers (Should have gone with Damp Rock, maybe next run)
Modest + some messy spread that I messed up on in BW a couple years ago when I caught it but close to max Special Attack
Ability: Drizzle
-Surf
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Protect
...
Not too pleased with this thing. Necessary for rain and Surf was cool for turn one while Blastoise Protected, but otherwise this guy seemed like a waste of space.
...
Any advice for that Politoed? I'm sick of its set and need more ideas.
Yeah, Leftovers is remarkably unexciting in Triples, and Damp Rock would be much better. But since Blastoise team battles tend to go pretty fast, there's something to be said for upping Politoed's pop with Expert Belt or even Choice Specs. As for moves on Politoed, I really don't like Hydro Pump. Misses can and will happen way too often. I'd probably cut both Surf and Hydro Pump for Scald and HP Grass, though that will obviously require a rebreed. A team so heavily focused on a Blastoise nuke needs outs against Water Absorb and Storm Drain, and HP Grass pounds the common Water / Ground-type Pokemon with these abilities. And though it is mediocre against Water Absorb Vaporeon, Poliwrath, and Suicune, it is still better than Ice Beam, your only current option against them. I find Protect really valuable, but if you haven't been using it much, you could also try cutting it for Psychic, which covers Poliwrath and Dry Skin Toxicroak, though its additional utility is limited by the fact that in the rain, super effective Psychic and neutral Scald have the same power.
Good luck with that team, though. While losing first turn Mat Block hurts, just thinking about Rain + Helping Hand boosted Water Spout makes me grin!
EDIT:
Another option I've mused about previously, but never tried: Rain Dance Greninja! You lose a coverage move, but in return, you have access to first turn Mat Block, and can still set up rain pretty reliably.
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