After my sand team turned out to be a lot of fun, I decided to try rain. I've had some success already, so I wanted some criticism. Without further ado...
Fukasaku (Politoed) (F) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Psychic
Politoed is my weather starter, and the specs power catches a lot of people off guard and lets me KO an opposing lead. Surf is STAB, which I'm using because I don't like missing with Hydro Pump. Surf gets the job done anyway with rain, STAB, and specs. Ice Beam is for Dragonite, Salamence, and Gliscor. Focus Blast hits Ferrothorn, and Psychic is for Mienshao, Gengar, Toxicroak, and other threats. I chose Timid nature because it's got enough Special Attack as it is with specs. I might make this into a Specially Defensive set and change Blastoise, if I need to. I basically chose Specstoed because the Power of a STAB specs rain Surf catches a lot of people offguard and nets an early KO, but I could adapt if need be.
Kame-Sennin (Blastoise) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
I don't know why more people don't use a specially defensive Blastoise, as his SDef actually exceeds his defense. Either way, he serves to burn enemies with Scald, to help cushion himself from physical attacks. Blastoise works as something of a toxic staller. He toxics other walls, usually other bulky waters, and then uses protect until they die. When you factor in Lefties, Rain Dish, and the occasional double protect, recovery stacks up fast. My only complaint is that Vaporeon is hard to deal with unless it can't switch out. Rapid Spin is to deal with entry hazards that would hurt Dragonite.
Fawcett (Ferrothorn) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
Ferrothorn is here to be my physical wall, and take advantage of the rain, which lets it actually survive a fire move. Fighting moves are also no problem as long as Dragonite or Toxicroak is still alive. Power Whip deals with opposing water types, like Swampert and Gastrodon, and T-wave cripples sweepers, so that my sweepers can possibly get a free turn of setup, or eliminate a threat without boosting speed. Leech Seed gives Ferro recovery, and Stealth Rock is there because rocks are just gravy and let me destroy Volcarona and Dragonite. Basically your standard Ferrothorn set, which helps my team's synergy, as it resists grass and can switch in on Toxic. Ferrothorn can also take Psychic moves aimed at Toxicroak. This is also my answer to any choicer locked into a move like Bullet Punch or Ice Shard.
Iroh (Dragonite) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- ExtremeSpeed
- Earthquake
- Outrage
Dragonite is here because he works great in the rain and has resistances that help my team. He resists fire, fighting, and grass type moves that would give me a hard time. Dragon Dance puts his attack above 500 and his speed above 300 after one dance, to help me sweep. Multiscale allows me to survive dangerous hits, and I have Blastoise to spin away rocks so that Multiscale activates. Extremespeed is for scarfers and pokes that use Ice Shard. Outrage is for late in the game or when I need power more than anything else. Earthquake is my best choice against Ferrothorn and helps me deal with other steels. I was considering a specially based set with Thunder and Hurricane, but decided against it due to disappointing stats compared to this set. What do you think?
Kermit (Toxicroak) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Vacuum Wave
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Wave
This guy rocks. I needed a special sweeper, and seeing as I wasn't too crazy about Dragonite, I fell in love with STAB priority and Nasty Plot. He can switch into a water move meant for Dragonite or Scizor, and then KO whatever Rotom or whatever he switches in on. He is my main counter to stuff like Weavile or Ferrothorn, and can switch into a Toxic meant for Blastoise, or a Power Whip meant for either of my water-types. Not only that, but he works great in the rain because Dry Skin and Black Sludge help ensure his longevity. One Nasty Plot is all I need to cause mayhem. Vacuum Wave is priority and hits Ferrothorn, Scrafty, Terrakion, Lucario, and so many others. Dark Pulse is for Ghosts and Psychics like Reuniclus or Dusclops. Sludge Wave is my main STAB. If I use special attacker Dragonite, I'd switch him to a sub/SD/suckerpunch/drainpunch set. Again, let me know what's best.
Blade (Scizor) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 100 HP / 200 Atk / 208 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Roost
- Swords Dance
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
Scizor, like the other pokes here, is one of my all-time favorites. I put it on this team because it is probably the greatest physical sweeper in the game right now, because its only weakness is dampened by the rain, and because it can revenge kill and counter many of the Pokemon that give its teammates grief, like Weavile, opposing Scizors, Ferrothorn, Venusaur, and Gengar. Most people expect a choice banded set, allowing me a free setup turn. SD boosts, Roost helps with Life Orb damage. Bug Bite is for power when I outspeed, and Bullet Punch is for when I don't, The EVs are chosen to give him some bulk, allowing him to take physical hits on the setup turn.
So there's my team. Let me know what you think, I'm really open to consider any changes.
Also, a no-prize to whoever can name the webcomic that gave me this team's title.
Fukasaku (Politoed) (F) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Psychic
Politoed is my weather starter, and the specs power catches a lot of people off guard and lets me KO an opposing lead. Surf is STAB, which I'm using because I don't like missing with Hydro Pump. Surf gets the job done anyway with rain, STAB, and specs. Ice Beam is for Dragonite, Salamence, and Gliscor. Focus Blast hits Ferrothorn, and Psychic is for Mienshao, Gengar, Toxicroak, and other threats. I chose Timid nature because it's got enough Special Attack as it is with specs. I might make this into a Specially Defensive set and change Blastoise, if I need to. I basically chose Specstoed because the Power of a STAB specs rain Surf catches a lot of people offguard and nets an early KO, but I could adapt if need be.
Kame-Sennin (Blastoise) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
I don't know why more people don't use a specially defensive Blastoise, as his SDef actually exceeds his defense. Either way, he serves to burn enemies with Scald, to help cushion himself from physical attacks. Blastoise works as something of a toxic staller. He toxics other walls, usually other bulky waters, and then uses protect until they die. When you factor in Lefties, Rain Dish, and the occasional double protect, recovery stacks up fast. My only complaint is that Vaporeon is hard to deal with unless it can't switch out. Rapid Spin is to deal with entry hazards that would hurt Dragonite.
Fawcett (Ferrothorn) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
Ferrothorn is here to be my physical wall, and take advantage of the rain, which lets it actually survive a fire move. Fighting moves are also no problem as long as Dragonite or Toxicroak is still alive. Power Whip deals with opposing water types, like Swampert and Gastrodon, and T-wave cripples sweepers, so that my sweepers can possibly get a free turn of setup, or eliminate a threat without boosting speed. Leech Seed gives Ferro recovery, and Stealth Rock is there because rocks are just gravy and let me destroy Volcarona and Dragonite. Basically your standard Ferrothorn set, which helps my team's synergy, as it resists grass and can switch in on Toxic. Ferrothorn can also take Psychic moves aimed at Toxicroak. This is also my answer to any choicer locked into a move like Bullet Punch or Ice Shard.
Iroh (Dragonite) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- ExtremeSpeed
- Earthquake
- Outrage
Dragonite is here because he works great in the rain and has resistances that help my team. He resists fire, fighting, and grass type moves that would give me a hard time. Dragon Dance puts his attack above 500 and his speed above 300 after one dance, to help me sweep. Multiscale allows me to survive dangerous hits, and I have Blastoise to spin away rocks so that Multiscale activates. Extremespeed is for scarfers and pokes that use Ice Shard. Outrage is for late in the game or when I need power more than anything else. Earthquake is my best choice against Ferrothorn and helps me deal with other steels. I was considering a specially based set with Thunder and Hurricane, but decided against it due to disappointing stats compared to this set. What do you think?
Kermit (Toxicroak) (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Vacuum Wave
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Wave
This guy rocks. I needed a special sweeper, and seeing as I wasn't too crazy about Dragonite, I fell in love with STAB priority and Nasty Plot. He can switch into a water move meant for Dragonite or Scizor, and then KO whatever Rotom or whatever he switches in on. He is my main counter to stuff like Weavile or Ferrothorn, and can switch into a Toxic meant for Blastoise, or a Power Whip meant for either of my water-types. Not only that, but he works great in the rain because Dry Skin and Black Sludge help ensure his longevity. One Nasty Plot is all I need to cause mayhem. Vacuum Wave is priority and hits Ferrothorn, Scrafty, Terrakion, Lucario, and so many others. Dark Pulse is for Ghosts and Psychics like Reuniclus or Dusclops. Sludge Wave is my main STAB. If I use special attacker Dragonite, I'd switch him to a sub/SD/suckerpunch/drainpunch set. Again, let me know what's best.
Blade (Scizor) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 100 HP / 200 Atk / 208 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Roost
- Swords Dance
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
Scizor, like the other pokes here, is one of my all-time favorites. I put it on this team because it is probably the greatest physical sweeper in the game right now, because its only weakness is dampened by the rain, and because it can revenge kill and counter many of the Pokemon that give its teammates grief, like Weavile, opposing Scizors, Ferrothorn, Venusaur, and Gengar. Most people expect a choice banded set, allowing me a free setup turn. SD boosts, Roost helps with Life Orb damage. Bug Bite is for power when I outspeed, and Bullet Punch is for when I don't, The EVs are chosen to give him some bulk, allowing him to take physical hits on the setup turn.
So there's my team. Let me know what you think, I'm really open to consider any changes.
Also, a no-prize to whoever can name the webcomic that gave me this team's title.
