Hello, Smogon! I have been playing doubles on Pokemon Showdown for a while now, but until I made this team I was just using teams from my friends and the forums. I wanted to to make a rain team as my first team since I had used rain before and it had worked well for me.
First Glance:
In Depth:
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand
- Protect
My choice of Politoed on a rain doesn't really need explanation. Scald is Politoed's main attacking option. I chose Icy Wind over Encore because I found the ability to control speed in a battle as well as hit common Pokemon that are weak to Ice, like Landorus-T, for decent damage better than locking something into one move. Helping Hand can help other 'Mons on the team secure KO's on Pokemon they usually wouldn't OHKO. Protect because it's doubles.
The EV spread is a simple 252 / 252 to maximize physical bulk. Damp Rock is chosen so the team has extra time to reap the benefits of rain.
Ludicolo @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fake Out
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
Ludicolo is a staple on rain teams. It provides Fake Out support, which can allow other members of the team to pick off threats. Hydro Pump and Giga Drain are STAB attacks for Ludicolo, with the former being very powerful under the rain and the latter allowing Ludicolo to recover HP, increasing its longevity. I have chosen Ice Beam because it can hit a myriad of threats in the tier for super-effective damage including but not limited too: Landorus-T, Thundurus, Garchomp, Zapdos, Hydreigon, etc.
The EV spread allows Ludicolo to outspeed and KO Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian under the rain, with max Special Attack. The rest of the EVs are thrown into HP to increase bulkiness. Leftovers are used to increase how long Ludicolo has to sweep before fainting.
Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Protect
I chose Mega Manectric for the team because Charizard-Y is a huge threat to rain teams, so I need a Pokemon that can outspeed an KO Zard-Y. Manectric is faster than Charizard even before Mega Evolving and can hit Zard with a powerful Thunderbolt. Volt Switch is used to scout what the opponent wants to do and forms a VoltTurn core with Landorus. Hidden Power Ice hits the same Pokemon that Ludicolo's Ice Beam does. Protect becase doubles.
The EV spread allows Manectric to outspeed Garchomp (and everything slower) before Mega Evolving so that it can KO with HP Ice.
Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- King's Shield
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Shadow Sneak
The main reason I chose to use Aegislash is to combat Trick Room. Thanks to its two formes Aegislash has a great combination of power and bulk. Just like Protect is a staple on most Pokemon in doubles, King's Shield is a staple for Aegislash, allowing it to protect itself from damage for a turn and change between forms. Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are its two STAB attacks that can hit common Trick Room users like Aromatisse and Cresselia for super-effective damage, as well as hit other Pokemon like Latios and Gardevoir. Shadow Sneak is used to pick off weakened 'Mons.
The EV spread is fairly standard. Max HP and Special Attack for bulk and power. I chose to use Weakness Policy because Aegislash is weak to alot of common moves in doubles, like Earthquake and Heat Wave, that it can usually survive in Shield Forme. Level 99 so that Aegi can underspeed other Aegislash and KO.
Landorus-T @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 44 HP / 252 Atk / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Electric types are a big threat to the water types used on rain teams, so I wanted to use a ground type to counteract that weakness. Landorus-Therian was an obvious choice, as it provides Intimidate support, increasing the bulk of the other 'Mons on the team. Earthquake is a powerful STAB attack that is also a spread move. I use Rock Slide and Stone Edge so that i can have a spread option in addition to a way to avoid Wide Guard. U-turn is used to scout and to form a VoltTurn core with Mega Manectric.
212 Speed EVs allow Choice Scarf Landorus to outspeed everything up to max Speed base 130's with a positive nature. Max Attack is for max damage output.
Rotom-W @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 236 HP / 84 SpA / 140 SpD / 48 Spe
Calm Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Electroweb
- Protect
For the last slot on the team I wanted a Pokemon that could benefit from rain as well as be able to take hits. Rotom-W's Hydro Pump is boosted by rain. Thunderbolt is secondary STAB. Electroweb can be used to hit with spread electric as well as reduce the Speed of faster Pokemon. Protect because doubles.
Rotom's EV spread is the most complicated spread on the team and the one I'm most proud of. The HP and Special Defense allow Rotom to survive a Solarbeam from Modest Zard-Y, while also hitting a number for maximum Sitrus Berry recovery. The Special Attack investment allows Rotom to OHKO Talonflame with Thunderbolt and take out Zard with a combination of Electroweb + Thunderbolt. The Speed is enough to outspeed the base 100's after Electroweb.
First Glance:
In Depth:
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand
- Protect
My choice of Politoed on a rain doesn't really need explanation. Scald is Politoed's main attacking option. I chose Icy Wind over Encore because I found the ability to control speed in a battle as well as hit common Pokemon that are weak to Ice, like Landorus-T, for decent damage better than locking something into one move. Helping Hand can help other 'Mons on the team secure KO's on Pokemon they usually wouldn't OHKO. Protect because it's doubles.
The EV spread is a simple 252 / 252 to maximize physical bulk. Damp Rock is chosen so the team has extra time to reap the benefits of rain.
Ludicolo @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fake Out
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
Ludicolo is a staple on rain teams. It provides Fake Out support, which can allow other members of the team to pick off threats. Hydro Pump and Giga Drain are STAB attacks for Ludicolo, with the former being very powerful under the rain and the latter allowing Ludicolo to recover HP, increasing its longevity. I have chosen Ice Beam because it can hit a myriad of threats in the tier for super-effective damage including but not limited too: Landorus-T, Thundurus, Garchomp, Zapdos, Hydreigon, etc.
The EV spread allows Ludicolo to outspeed and KO Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian under the rain, with max Special Attack. The rest of the EVs are thrown into HP to increase bulkiness. Leftovers are used to increase how long Ludicolo has to sweep before fainting.
Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Protect
I chose Mega Manectric for the team because Charizard-Y is a huge threat to rain teams, so I need a Pokemon that can outspeed an KO Zard-Y. Manectric is faster than Charizard even before Mega Evolving and can hit Zard with a powerful Thunderbolt. Volt Switch is used to scout what the opponent wants to do and forms a VoltTurn core with Landorus. Hidden Power Ice hits the same Pokemon that Ludicolo's Ice Beam does. Protect becase doubles.
The EV spread allows Manectric to outspeed Garchomp (and everything slower) before Mega Evolving so that it can KO with HP Ice.
Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- King's Shield
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Shadow Sneak
The main reason I chose to use Aegislash is to combat Trick Room. Thanks to its two formes Aegislash has a great combination of power and bulk. Just like Protect is a staple on most Pokemon in doubles, King's Shield is a staple for Aegislash, allowing it to protect itself from damage for a turn and change between forms. Shadow Ball and Flash Cannon are its two STAB attacks that can hit common Trick Room users like Aromatisse and Cresselia for super-effective damage, as well as hit other Pokemon like Latios and Gardevoir. Shadow Sneak is used to pick off weakened 'Mons.
The EV spread is fairly standard. Max HP and Special Attack for bulk and power. I chose to use Weakness Policy because Aegislash is weak to alot of common moves in doubles, like Earthquake and Heat Wave, that it can usually survive in Shield Forme. Level 99 so that Aegi can underspeed other Aegislash and KO.
Landorus-T @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 44 HP / 252 Atk / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Electric types are a big threat to the water types used on rain teams, so I wanted to use a ground type to counteract that weakness. Landorus-Therian was an obvious choice, as it provides Intimidate support, increasing the bulk of the other 'Mons on the team. Earthquake is a powerful STAB attack that is also a spread move. I use Rock Slide and Stone Edge so that i can have a spread option in addition to a way to avoid Wide Guard. U-turn is used to scout and to form a VoltTurn core with Mega Manectric.
212 Speed EVs allow Choice Scarf Landorus to outspeed everything up to max Speed base 130's with a positive nature. Max Attack is for max damage output.
Rotom-W @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 236 HP / 84 SpA / 140 SpD / 48 Spe
Calm Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Electroweb
- Protect
For the last slot on the team I wanted a Pokemon that could benefit from rain as well as be able to take hits. Rotom-W's Hydro Pump is boosted by rain. Thunderbolt is secondary STAB. Electroweb can be used to hit with spread electric as well as reduce the Speed of faster Pokemon. Protect because doubles.
Rotom's EV spread is the most complicated spread on the team and the one I'm most proud of. The HP and Special Defense allow Rotom to survive a Solarbeam from Modest Zard-Y, while also hitting a number for maximum Sitrus Berry recovery. The Special Attack investment allows Rotom to OHKO Talonflame with Thunderbolt and take out Zard with a combination of Electroweb + Thunderbolt. The Speed is enough to outspeed the base 100's after Electroweb.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand
- Protect
Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect
Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- King's Shield
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Shadow Sneak
Ludicolo @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fake Out
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 236 HP / 84 SpA / 140 SpD / 48 Spe
Calm Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Electroweb
- Protect
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 44 HP / 252 Atk / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Ability: Drizzle
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand
- Protect
Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect
Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- King's Shield
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Shadow Sneak
Ludicolo @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fake Out
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 236 HP / 84 SpA / 140 SpD / 48 Spe
Calm Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Electroweb
- Protect
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 44 HP / 252 Atk / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
