Introduction: I'm new to weather-based teams, and having failed with them in the past, I decided to try a new one, and post it to the RateMyTeam section to get some advice and some ratings. I'd use this team for mostly OU battles, but occasionally UU battles too. Onward.
The team:
The Faster-than-you-think Taunt Lead: Nidoking.
Nidoking @ Focus Sash
Ability: Poison Point
EV's: 252 Attk/6 Def/ 252 Spd
Nature: Jolly
-Taunt
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Aqua Tail *currently testing*
Jolly nature outpaces Skarmory Taunt leads as well as many/most stealth-rock users. Starts with a taunt, moves to Stealth Rock, Focus sash keeps it alive against the ever common earthquakes on leads. Earthquake helps for common steel/rock leads and has STAB... Aqua tail hits solid-ground types harder. Not sure if I want Aqua Tail or Poison Jab, Brick Break, Ice Punch, or Fire Punch. Usually, once Nidoking has done his job, I just have him faint so Butterfree can set up.
The Annoying Set-up member of the team: Butterfree.
Butterfree @ Damp Rock
Ability: Compoundeyes
EV's: 252 Sp.Attk/6 Sp.Def/252 Spd
Nature: Timid
-Sleep Powder
-Hidden Power [Fire] *Currently testing*
-Bug Buzz
-Rain Dance
Butterfree is the main member of the team. Running a Timid nature with full speed EV's helps to outspeed as much as it can to set up a sleep powder. It can kill steel types that get in its way before rain dancing, or if it needs STAB, Bug Buzz. Rain Dance is the last thing it does before switching out to a more powerful teammate. Hidden Power could be replaced with Roost or Stun Spore, but nothing else has a fire type attack at the moment. After testing, Hidden Power Fire seems to be working well for me.
The Physical Grass type: Shiftry.
Shiftry @ Salac Berry
Ability: Early Bird
EV's: 252 Attk/6 Def/252 Spd
Nature: Jolly
-Swords Dance
-Sucker Punch
-Seed Bomb
-X-Scissor
Shiftry can be used with Chlorophyll, but I'd rather use Early Bird, especially since it's a rain dance team... and because I actually have this exact in-game Shiftry, shiny and all. He wakes up from Yawn/Hypnosis/Spore quicker than expected, allowing for a swords dance or a sucker punch unexpectedly. Seed Bomb for STAB, X-Scissor against dark types or grass types, Sucker Punch tends to OHKO Latias, Gengar, Rotom, Alakazam, Starmie, etc. after stealth rock damage. Swords Dance gives it sweeping potential.
The Gyarados Counter: Cloyster.
Cloyster @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
EV's: 252HP/252Attk/6Sp.Def
Nature: Adamant
-Avalanche
-Explosion
-Rapid Spin
-Dive *currently testing*
The rapid spinner of the team takes 25% damage... but tries to heal with leftovers. Avalanche is good considering Cloyster's going last and has STAB. Explosion to get out of tough situations. Dive is used in combination with Rain Dance and has water STAB... but Ice Shard is probably a better move for priority, as the only other priority move I have so far is Sucker Punch, which can be unreliable. Avalanche destroys Gyarados, Salamance, Garchomp, and Dragonite.
The Gorgeous Sweeper: Gorebyss.
Gorebyss @ Expert Belt
Ability: Swift Swim
EV's: 6 HP/252 Sp.Attk/252 Spd
Nature: Modest
-Hidden Power [Fighting]
-Psychic
-Ice Beam
-Surf
Gorebyss is surprisingly powerful, although I'm not happy this isn't a very original set for him. Psychic is used against fighting and poison types, which other water types can't really compete with. Ice Beam hits dragon types hard, as well as grass and flying types. Surf has incredibly powerful STAB, paired with Rain Dance, and it tears through opponents. Rain Dance refuels its bonus to Surf as well as increases its speed to incredible levels. Pretty simple, but powerful.
The second rain dancer: Ludicolo
Ludicolo @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EV's: 6 HP/252 Sp.Attk/252 Spd
Nature: Timid
-Energy Ball
-Rain Dance
-Surf
-Focus Blast
As suggested, Ludicolo has taken a spot on the team. His ability to use Rain Dance and not have to worry about too much damage from all attacks is valuable compared to Butterfree's fragility. Energy Ball has an appreciated possible secondary effect, surf has intense rain dance boosted STAB, Rain Dance is a no brainer, and Focus Blast is included for steel and dark types, as Gorebyss' Hidden Power can't be the only fighting attack. The added attack power is worth the accuracy loss, as Ludicolo will likely survive an attack (seeing that flying and bug attacks aren't too common, and it has decent defenses.)
And that's it. Please rate/criticize/comment. Thank you.
The team:
The Faster-than-you-think Taunt Lead: Nidoking.
Nidoking @ Focus Sash
Ability: Poison Point
EV's: 252 Attk/6 Def/ 252 Spd
Nature: Jolly
-Taunt
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Aqua Tail *currently testing*
Jolly nature outpaces Skarmory Taunt leads as well as many/most stealth-rock users. Starts with a taunt, moves to Stealth Rock, Focus sash keeps it alive against the ever common earthquakes on leads. Earthquake helps for common steel/rock leads and has STAB... Aqua tail hits solid-ground types harder. Not sure if I want Aqua Tail or Poison Jab, Brick Break, Ice Punch, or Fire Punch. Usually, once Nidoking has done his job, I just have him faint so Butterfree can set up.
The Annoying Set-up member of the team: Butterfree.
Butterfree @ Damp Rock
Ability: Compoundeyes
EV's: 252 Sp.Attk/6 Sp.Def/252 Spd
Nature: Timid
-Sleep Powder
-Hidden Power [Fire] *Currently testing*
-Bug Buzz
-Rain Dance
Butterfree is the main member of the team. Running a Timid nature with full speed EV's helps to outspeed as much as it can to set up a sleep powder. It can kill steel types that get in its way before rain dancing, or if it needs STAB, Bug Buzz. Rain Dance is the last thing it does before switching out to a more powerful teammate. Hidden Power could be replaced with Roost or Stun Spore, but nothing else has a fire type attack at the moment. After testing, Hidden Power Fire seems to be working well for me.
The Physical Grass type: Shiftry.
Shiftry @ Salac Berry
Ability: Early Bird
EV's: 252 Attk/6 Def/252 Spd
Nature: Jolly
-Swords Dance
-Sucker Punch
-Seed Bomb
-X-Scissor
Shiftry can be used with Chlorophyll, but I'd rather use Early Bird, especially since it's a rain dance team... and because I actually have this exact in-game Shiftry, shiny and all. He wakes up from Yawn/Hypnosis/Spore quicker than expected, allowing for a swords dance or a sucker punch unexpectedly. Seed Bomb for STAB, X-Scissor against dark types or grass types, Sucker Punch tends to OHKO Latias, Gengar, Rotom, Alakazam, Starmie, etc. after stealth rock damage. Swords Dance gives it sweeping potential.
The Gyarados Counter: Cloyster.
Cloyster @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
EV's: 252HP/252Attk/6Sp.Def
Nature: Adamant
-Avalanche
-Explosion
-Rapid Spin
-Dive *currently testing*
The rapid spinner of the team takes 25% damage... but tries to heal with leftovers. Avalanche is good considering Cloyster's going last and has STAB. Explosion to get out of tough situations. Dive is used in combination with Rain Dance and has water STAB... but Ice Shard is probably a better move for priority, as the only other priority move I have so far is Sucker Punch, which can be unreliable. Avalanche destroys Gyarados, Salamance, Garchomp, and Dragonite.
The Gorgeous Sweeper: Gorebyss.
Gorebyss @ Expert Belt
Ability: Swift Swim
EV's: 6 HP/252 Sp.Attk/252 Spd
Nature: Modest
-Hidden Power [Fighting]
-Psychic
-Ice Beam
-Surf
Gorebyss is surprisingly powerful, although I'm not happy this isn't a very original set for him. Psychic is used against fighting and poison types, which other water types can't really compete with. Ice Beam hits dragon types hard, as well as grass and flying types. Surf has incredibly powerful STAB, paired with Rain Dance, and it tears through opponents. Rain Dance refuels its bonus to Surf as well as increases its speed to incredible levels. Pretty simple, but powerful.
The second rain dancer: Ludicolo
Ludicolo @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EV's: 6 HP/252 Sp.Attk/252 Spd
Nature: Timid
-Energy Ball
-Rain Dance
-Surf
-Focus Blast
As suggested, Ludicolo has taken a spot on the team. His ability to use Rain Dance and not have to worry about too much damage from all attacks is valuable compared to Butterfree's fragility. Energy Ball has an appreciated possible secondary effect, surf has intense rain dance boosted STAB, Rain Dance is a no brainer, and Focus Blast is included for steel and dark types, as Gorebyss' Hidden Power can't be the only fighting attack. The added attack power is worth the accuracy loss, as Ludicolo will likely survive an attack (seeing that flying and bug attacks aren't too common, and it has decent defenses.)
And that's it. Please rate/criticize/comment. Thank you.
