I'm trying to get back into competitive battling after about a year, and learning the S/M meta is proving to be a challenge. I've tried to build a few teams, but none of them seem to have amazing success. The team that has performed the best has been my rain team, but I feel like it could use some tweaking and I would like some help with that. Any and all help is greatly appreciated, so lets get started.
The Team:
Pelipper @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Roost
I admit, I was skeptical about using Pelipper as my rain setter. I had heard that is was better than Politioed, but how could a X4 electric weakness and a major weakness to Stealth Rock be better? After using it, however, I do really like it. The added offensive momentum with Hurricane and U-turn coupled with having better recovery options than Rest has proven to me that Pelipper is really the best OU rain setter right now. I feel like the set is pretty standard, and doesn't need that much explanation, but maybe a more defensive move pool would have better synergy with the current EV spread. Overall, though, I'm not really having any problems with Pelipper, and I'm enjoying using it on the team.
Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
I decided on Excadrill over Tapu Fini as my hazard control mainly because I didn't want to add another electric weakness on the team when Tapu Koko and Volt Switch is so common right now. I did want a powerful Earthquake user, as well as a pokemon that could still be a huge threat outside of rain. Excadrill checked the boxes, and is proving its worth. It's not weak to entry hazards, unlike other defog users such as Zapdos and Pelipper, and the electric immunity is beyond useful. Iron head is great for the fairy types running around, and Rock Slide is good coverage. Excadrill has proven to be useful at controlling entry hazards, as well as revenge killing.
Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
Toxicroak is one of my favorite pokemon, and it does have a lot going for it this gen. Poison/Fighting is a great offensive tying that let it check a lot of pokemon in the tier. Dry Skin negates the Life Orb recoil, and Sucker Punch is a great priority move. However, I'm having some issues with Toxicroak. Its sub-par speed tier makes it outsped, and one-shot, by a lot of pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Landorus-T, Protean Greninja with Extrasensory, Offensive Celesteela, and the list continues. Despite these, Dry Skin makes Toxicroak very threatening in the rain when considering all of the fairy types that are being played right now, and the fact that it walls Battle Bond Greninja. I tend to have very poor luck with less accurate moves, which is why you see Poison Jab instead of Gunk Shot. Maybe it would be worth it to switch over, but the risk may not be worth the reward, to me at least.
Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Scald
Kingdra is your go to Swift Swim sweeper. It's your average set, except I chose to run Scald over Surf because I have Hydro Pump, and the extra burn chance is nice when I don't want to risk Hydro Pump missing, or I think the opponent will switch out, but I'm not sure into what. I haven't missed the slightly extra power, and I think the rest of the set is pretty self explanatory.
Thundurus-Therian @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Now I needed a powerful coverage pokemon who could pump out a lot of damage regardless of rain, as well as not add to my weaknesses, and Thundurus-T seemed to fit the bill. I also wanted a powerful Z-move, so why not? Hidden Power Ice is there to threaten Landorus-T, and provide extra coverage. I especially like having another electric immunity, and the sustain is always nice when I can get it. However, Thundurus isn't as fast as I would like it to be, and I feel like it could be doing a lot more, but I'm not sure if it's the pokemon itself, or my play style. Whether it's dying a lot, or not pumping out quite enough damage, I feel like there could be just a little more here.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
Last, but certainly not least, is our entry hazards setter and general nuisance. It's a pretty standard spread except for Knock Off, and that's so I can get rid of potential choice items and set Kingdra up for a sweep. I decided to stick with just Stealth Rocks, so I can get a little bit of an offensive presence with Knock Off and Gyro Ball for opposing Fairies, and Leech Seed is always useful with its sustain.
Weaknesses:
Tyranitar: The weather battle is always a tough one, and with Tyranitar being so popular right now, it's a common battle I have to deal with. I don't outright lose, but it requires a lot of careful play or else I'm done for.
Mega-Medicham: This guy hurts... a lot. I don't really have a switch-in to this monster, so my best bet is to revenge kill it or simply wipe out the rest of the team. It's a lot easier to deal with in rain, but if I mess up once, it's game over.
Celesteela: Not a huge threat, but if Thundurus gets KO'd, it's nearly impossible for me to beat.
Conclusion:
If I were to pick out the weakest link, it would probably be either Toxicroak or Thundurus-T, but I wouldn't say there's a specific pokemon that's not doing their job. I feel like this team isn't bad, but I could use some help streamlining it and troubleshooting issues. Any and all help is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to hearing from you guys.
Import:
The Team:
Pelipper @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Roost
I admit, I was skeptical about using Pelipper as my rain setter. I had heard that is was better than Politioed, but how could a X4 electric weakness and a major weakness to Stealth Rock be better? After using it, however, I do really like it. The added offensive momentum with Hurricane and U-turn coupled with having better recovery options than Rest has proven to me that Pelipper is really the best OU rain setter right now. I feel like the set is pretty standard, and doesn't need that much explanation, but maybe a more defensive move pool would have better synergy with the current EV spread. Overall, though, I'm not really having any problems with Pelipper, and I'm enjoying using it on the team.
Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
I decided on Excadrill over Tapu Fini as my hazard control mainly because I didn't want to add another electric weakness on the team when Tapu Koko and Volt Switch is so common right now. I did want a powerful Earthquake user, as well as a pokemon that could still be a huge threat outside of rain. Excadrill checked the boxes, and is proving its worth. It's not weak to entry hazards, unlike other defog users such as Zapdos and Pelipper, and the electric immunity is beyond useful. Iron head is great for the fairy types running around, and Rock Slide is good coverage. Excadrill has proven to be useful at controlling entry hazards, as well as revenge killing.
Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
Toxicroak is one of my favorite pokemon, and it does have a lot going for it this gen. Poison/Fighting is a great offensive tying that let it check a lot of pokemon in the tier. Dry Skin negates the Life Orb recoil, and Sucker Punch is a great priority move. However, I'm having some issues with Toxicroak. Its sub-par speed tier makes it outsped, and one-shot, by a lot of pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Landorus-T, Protean Greninja with Extrasensory, Offensive Celesteela, and the list continues. Despite these, Dry Skin makes Toxicroak very threatening in the rain when considering all of the fairy types that are being played right now, and the fact that it walls Battle Bond Greninja. I tend to have very poor luck with less accurate moves, which is why you see Poison Jab instead of Gunk Shot. Maybe it would be worth it to switch over, but the risk may not be worth the reward, to me at least.
Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Scald
Kingdra is your go to Swift Swim sweeper. It's your average set, except I chose to run Scald over Surf because I have Hydro Pump, and the extra burn chance is nice when I don't want to risk Hydro Pump missing, or I think the opponent will switch out, but I'm not sure into what. I haven't missed the slightly extra power, and I think the rest of the set is pretty self explanatory.
Thundurus-Therian @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Now I needed a powerful coverage pokemon who could pump out a lot of damage regardless of rain, as well as not add to my weaknesses, and Thundurus-T seemed to fit the bill. I also wanted a powerful Z-move, so why not? Hidden Power Ice is there to threaten Landorus-T, and provide extra coverage. I especially like having another electric immunity, and the sustain is always nice when I can get it. However, Thundurus isn't as fast as I would like it to be, and I feel like it could be doing a lot more, but I'm not sure if it's the pokemon itself, or my play style. Whether it's dying a lot, or not pumping out quite enough damage, I feel like there could be just a little more here.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
Last, but certainly not least, is our entry hazards setter and general nuisance. It's a pretty standard spread except for Knock Off, and that's so I can get rid of potential choice items and set Kingdra up for a sweep. I decided to stick with just Stealth Rocks, so I can get a little bit of an offensive presence with Knock Off and Gyro Ball for opposing Fairies, and Leech Seed is always useful with its sustain.
Weaknesses:
Tyranitar: The weather battle is always a tough one, and with Tyranitar being so popular right now, it's a common battle I have to deal with. I don't outright lose, but it requires a lot of careful play or else I'm done for.
Mega-Medicham: This guy hurts... a lot. I don't really have a switch-in to this monster, so my best bet is to revenge kill it or simply wipe out the rest of the team. It's a lot easier to deal with in rain, but if I mess up once, it's game over.
Celesteela: Not a huge threat, but if Thundurus gets KO'd, it's nearly impossible for me to beat.
Conclusion:
If I were to pick out the weakest link, it would probably be either Toxicroak or Thundurus-T, but I wouldn't say there's a specific pokemon that's not doing their job. I feel like this team isn't bad, but I could use some help streamlining it and troubleshooting issues. Any and all help is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to hearing from you guys.
Import:
Pelipper @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Roost
Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Scald
Thundurus-Therian @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Roost
Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Scald
Thundurus-Therian @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
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