First 5th Gen RMT - Offensive Rain

[arkel]

Hello Smogon! I've been a long-time lurker here, but this is one of my first posts. This team has a lot of problems, so please help me out!

Politoed (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]

Obligatory Pokemon is obligatory. STAB Hydro Pump in the rain hits really hard even on things that resist it. All the other moves are just coverage. Ice Beam nails Dragons and the genies, Focus Blast takes care of T-Tar, and HP Grass handles Gastrodon and Swampert. Unfortunately it barely leaves a scratch on Vaporeon.

Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Power Whip

Originally I had Whimsicott here, but I needed a Steel Pokemon so replaced it with Ferrothorn. Rocks are always nice to have. Leech Seed forces switches so that Thundurus can come in safely, and also combos nicely with Toxicroak if they stay in. Most of my Pokemon appreciate paralysis support, especially Politoed, so T-Wave happily earns a spot on the set. Power Whip serves as Ferro's STAB attacking move, as T-Wave and Gyro Ball lack synergy.

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Thunder
- Water Pulse

Currently testing Jirachi. My expectation is that she will be able to beat Reuniclus better than Thundurus could.

Rotom-W @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Trick

Standard Scarf set. Revenges and keeps offensive momentum going with Volt Switch. Trick cripples Blissey, Ferrothorn, Jellicent, etc, all of which can be huge threats to my team. Will report more after testing.

Toxicroak (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bulk Up
- Substitute
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch

Nearly unstoppable in the rain. With Dry Skin, Leftovers, Drain Punch, and possibly even Ferrothorn's Leech Seed, he just keeps gaining health. He has a lot of problems against opposing Toxicroak, though, as they resist both of his attacking moves.

Bronzong @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Atk / 92 SDef
0 Spd IVs
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Toxic
- Earthquake

Serves as a counter to Excadrill and Landorus. He sets up Rocks so Ferrothorn can carry Spikes. Entry hazards are much appreciated by this team since I don't really have any "heavy hitters." Toxic can wear down walls like Jellicent that give my team a lot of trouble. 0 Speed IVs is for Gyro Ball's maximum damage.

Thanks for looking! Please comment so you can help my team get better.

 

[Iconic]

You could probably use some sort of Excadrill counter outside of the rain. You don't even have an Excadrill check as of now because everything takes a ton from either Earthquake or Return. Rotom-W is your best bet, but as we all know it's not a very good Excadrill counter! What you could do is slot Bronzong somewhere on your team, maybe over Kingdra. It could also fit over Toxicroak, but I think you might want to keep Toxicroak for the sake of its priority. Bronzong won't just help you against Excadrill, but sand sweepers in general, such as Landorus, who give you a shit ton of problems. If you run Stealth Rock on Bronzong, it'll free up a spot for Ferrothorn to use Spikes, which will help a lot against rain teams to wear down opposing Ferrothorn, who are inherently hard to beat with a team like yours.

Still massively Thundurus weak, and you could do with another SD Terrakion check. I think your best option here would be to just give Rotom-W a Choice Scarf with Hydro Pump / Volt Switch / Will-O-Wisp / Trick. Thundurus can set up on a large portion of your team and threaten a sweep, since you rely exclusively on winning the Speed tie with your own Thundurus in order to beat it. Rotom-W gives your team a bit more Speed and a way of reliably checking Thundurus. Also with Trick you have a means of crippling Calm Mind Reuniclus, who can be bothersome for your team.

 

[arkel]

Changes made 10/04/11:

Gave Politoed a Scarf instead of Specs.
Replaced Stealth Rock on Ferrothorn with Spikes.
Replaced Thundurus with Jirachi.
Gave Rotom a Scarf set.
Replaced Kingdra with Bronzong.

And yes dregstr I'm on YCM but I quit yugioh so I'm here now.

 

[SoT]

expand descriptions a bit more. thanks