I've taken a shot at a rain team with, honestly, mild success. I'm not really sure where I've gone wrong. Here's hoping you good fellows here at smogon can see the flaw/s in my team that I'm apparently blind to.
Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Power-Up Punch
Mega Swampert is a very strong and very fast under rain. Bolstering a massive attack stat of 150 and a wide movepool with all the coverage options it needs, it deserves it's place as a staple on rain teams. It's only drawback being that it takes up a mega slot.
Maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature makes Mega Swampert hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment allows Mega Swampert to outspeed the whole unboosted metagame, as well as some slower Choice Scarf users.
Waterfall hits incredibly hard. Especially under rain. Earthquake is a solid secondary STAB attack and is also Mega Swampert's hardest-hitting attack outside of the rain. Ice Punch hits the Grass- and Dragon-types that resist Mega Swampert's STAB combination. Power-Up Punch, while not very useful as a coverage move, can be used on weakened foes and gives Mega Swampert a way to boost its Attack stat, allowing it to wallbreak more easily.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Encore
- Rest
Politoed's ability Drizzle makes it a crucial Pokemon for rain teams.
I've opted for a physically defensive EV set. Mainly due wanting to switch into physical attackers more often then special.
Scald is STAB and is boosted by the rain and has a chance to burn. Toxic wears down bulkier Pokemon and cripples foes such as Latios and Latias that don't really mind a Scald even if it burns. Encore prevents Politoed from being taken advantage of by setup sweepers, and allows it to take advantage of defensive Pokemon that have just used a support move by locking them into the move. Rest is an important form of recovery. Allowing it to switch in more often to get up rain.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
One of the few special rain sweepers available. I've opted for Ludicolo over Kingdra and Omastar for a few reasons. Mainly being able to threaten apposing water types such as Manaphy, Rotom-W, (M) Slowbro, Azumarill, and Keldeo with STAB grass while being quad resistant to water is amazing. Of course Ludicolo doesn't have enough bulk to continually switch into attacks. Couple that with life orb recoil and it's life span can easily be ended short. Still though it's able to fulfill it's role adequately well.
The given EVs' maximize Ludicolo's Speed while providing as much punch as possible. Life Orb boost Ludicolo's Hydro Pump to terrifying levels of power and usable levels for its other moves. A Modest nature is used to boost Ludicolo's power further.
Hydro Pump is a monstrous move when the rain is up. Scores many OHKOs and 2HKOs on Pokemon that do not resist it. Giga Drain is STAB and hits with decent power while also providing healing. Ice Beam is there to hit the Grass- and Dragon-types that resist both of Ludicolo's STAB moves. Focus Blast is for hitting predicted Ferrothorn switch-ins.
Tornadus-Therian @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 76 Atk / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- Taunt
- Knock Off
Tornadus-T melds very well with a rain dedicated team. Resisting grass and access to STAB Hurricane that's 100% accurate in rain. Tornadus-T is able to nail the grass types that plague rain abusers such as M-Swampert, hard. Accompany that with coverage that can break down and neuter certain Pokemon that cause issues for rain teams makes it a phenomenal addition.
76 Attack EVs allow Tornadus-T to OHKO standard support Tyranitar and offensive Excadrill with Superpower. Maximum Speed investment with a Speed-boosting so that Tornadus-T can outspeed as many Pokemon as possible and at least Speed tie with opposing Tornadus-T. The remaining EVs go into Special Attack to maximize Hurricane's power.
Hurricane is Tornadus-T's best STAB move, with its bad accuracy being mitigated by rain. Superpower is more accurate than Focus Blast and hits specially bulky Pokemon like Assault Vest Raikou and Chansey harder. Knock Off is mainly used for utility as opposed to damage. Such as knocking off Chansey's evolite. With no rapid spinner Taunt is used to help prolong hazards from being set and status' being spread as well as stallbreaking more easily, and makes certain checks to Tornadus-T easier to take advantage of or wear down.
Raikou @ Assault Vest
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder / Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Extrasensory / Shadow Ball
High Speed, good Special Attack, and Electric typing allows Raikou to check threats such as Thundurus, Talonflame, Manaphy, and Serperior to just name a few.
252 EVs in Speed with a Timid nature allow Raikou to speed tie with Starmie and other Raikou while being able to outrun threats such as Serperior and Thundurus. 252 EVs in Special Attack maxmimises Raikou's damage output. An Assault Vest enables Raikou to more comfortably switch into special attackers such as Thundurus, Mega Manectric, Manaphy, Keldeo, and Mega Charizard Y.
Under rain, Raikou gets the luxury of being able to use a 100% accurate Thunder. Thunder itself also has an added bonus of a 30% paralysis chance. Though the power change from Thunderbolt to Thunder isn't huge. The added power and paralysis chance is nice. Volt Switch gives it a safe move to pivot and wear down defensive threats with. Hidden Power Ice is compulsory coverage to hit Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp, which otherwise completely wall Raikou. I still haven't decided on the last move slot. Being able to threaten M-Venusaur is nice. But so is 2HKOing Latios with Shadow Ball.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
Ferrothorn and Rain go together like peanut butter & chocolate. Many would-be problematic Pokemon are held at bay thanks to its unique set of resistances and bulk as well as both of it's supportive and offensive moves.
I've opted for the standard EV and move set. It seems to work so far. Any suggestions on improvement are welcome.
Though Protect may seem as an odd choice. Considering it waste a turn of rain. It has come in handy. Combining it with Leech Seed and Politoad's toxic performs wonderfully as well as helping my scout out moves.
Building Process
From the begging I intended to use M-Swampert.
Bolstering awesome 100/110/110 defenses, a massive attack stat and insane speed under rain. It was an easy choice..
It's Politoad.
With a physical rain sweeper covered I needed someone to fill in the special gap.
After a lot of consideration I decided on Ludicolo over Kingdra and Omastar. I'll go into more detail below.
I need to plug up the glaring grass weakness that plagues all rain dedicated teams.
Being able to abuse 100% accurate Hurricanes and resisting grass, Tornadus-T seemed like an obvious choice.
I noticed a glaring weakness to Talonflame that need to be fixed.
After a swords dance, Talonflame could punch holes in my team uncontested. Raikou seemed to be the best answer.
I needed a rock setter, as well as a way to check/counter a few key pokemon.
Ferrothorn filled that gap perfectly.
In-dept Team Analysis
From the begging I intended to use M-Swampert.
Bolstering awesome 100/110/110 defenses, a massive attack stat and insane speed under rain. It was an easy choice..
It's Politoad.
With a physical rain sweeper covered I needed someone to fill in the special gap.
After a lot of consideration I decided on Ludicolo over Kingdra and Omastar. I'll go into more detail below.
I need to plug up the glaring grass weakness that plagues all rain dedicated teams.
Being able to abuse 100% accurate Hurricanes and resisting grass, Tornadus-T seemed like an obvious choice.
I noticed a glaring weakness to Talonflame that need to be fixed.
After a swords dance, Talonflame could punch holes in my team uncontested. Raikou seemed to be the best answer.
I needed a rock setter, as well as a way to check/counter a few key pokemon.
Ferrothorn filled that gap perfectly.
In-dept Team Analysis
Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Power-Up Punch
Mega Swampert is a very strong and very fast under rain. Bolstering a massive attack stat of 150 and a wide movepool with all the coverage options it needs, it deserves it's place as a staple on rain teams. It's only drawback being that it takes up a mega slot.
Maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature makes Mega Swampert hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment allows Mega Swampert to outspeed the whole unboosted metagame, as well as some slower Choice Scarf users.
Waterfall hits incredibly hard. Especially under rain. Earthquake is a solid secondary STAB attack and is also Mega Swampert's hardest-hitting attack outside of the rain. Ice Punch hits the Grass- and Dragon-types that resist Mega Swampert's STAB combination. Power-Up Punch, while not very useful as a coverage move, can be used on weakened foes and gives Mega Swampert a way to boost its Attack stat, allowing it to wallbreak more easily.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Encore
- Rest
Politoed's ability Drizzle makes it a crucial Pokemon for rain teams.
I've opted for a physically defensive EV set. Mainly due wanting to switch into physical attackers more often then special.
Scald is STAB and is boosted by the rain and has a chance to burn. Toxic wears down bulkier Pokemon and cripples foes such as Latios and Latias that don't really mind a Scald even if it burns. Encore prevents Politoed from being taken advantage of by setup sweepers, and allows it to take advantage of defensive Pokemon that have just used a support move by locking them into the move. Rest is an important form of recovery. Allowing it to switch in more often to get up rain.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
One of the few special rain sweepers available. I've opted for Ludicolo over Kingdra and Omastar for a few reasons. Mainly being able to threaten apposing water types such as Manaphy, Rotom-W, (M) Slowbro, Azumarill, and Keldeo with STAB grass while being quad resistant to water is amazing. Of course Ludicolo doesn't have enough bulk to continually switch into attacks. Couple that with life orb recoil and it's life span can easily be ended short. Still though it's able to fulfill it's role adequately well.
The given EVs' maximize Ludicolo's Speed while providing as much punch as possible. Life Orb boost Ludicolo's Hydro Pump to terrifying levels of power and usable levels for its other moves. A Modest nature is used to boost Ludicolo's power further.
Hydro Pump is a monstrous move when the rain is up. Scores many OHKOs and 2HKOs on Pokemon that do not resist it. Giga Drain is STAB and hits with decent power while also providing healing. Ice Beam is there to hit the Grass- and Dragon-types that resist both of Ludicolo's STAB moves. Focus Blast is for hitting predicted Ferrothorn switch-ins.
Tornadus-Therian @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 76 Atk / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- Taunt
- Knock Off
Tornadus-T melds very well with a rain dedicated team. Resisting grass and access to STAB Hurricane that's 100% accurate in rain. Tornadus-T is able to nail the grass types that plague rain abusers such as M-Swampert, hard. Accompany that with coverage that can break down and neuter certain Pokemon that cause issues for rain teams makes it a phenomenal addition.
76 Attack EVs allow Tornadus-T to OHKO standard support Tyranitar and offensive Excadrill with Superpower. Maximum Speed investment with a Speed-boosting so that Tornadus-T can outspeed as many Pokemon as possible and at least Speed tie with opposing Tornadus-T. The remaining EVs go into Special Attack to maximize Hurricane's power.
Hurricane is Tornadus-T's best STAB move, with its bad accuracy being mitigated by rain. Superpower is more accurate than Focus Blast and hits specially bulky Pokemon like Assault Vest Raikou and Chansey harder. Knock Off is mainly used for utility as opposed to damage. Such as knocking off Chansey's evolite. With no rapid spinner Taunt is used to help prolong hazards from being set and status' being spread as well as stallbreaking more easily, and makes certain checks to Tornadus-T easier to take advantage of or wear down.
Raikou @ Assault Vest
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder / Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Extrasensory / Shadow Ball
High Speed, good Special Attack, and Electric typing allows Raikou to check threats such as Thundurus, Talonflame, Manaphy, and Serperior to just name a few.
252 EVs in Speed with a Timid nature allow Raikou to speed tie with Starmie and other Raikou while being able to outrun threats such as Serperior and Thundurus. 252 EVs in Special Attack maxmimises Raikou's damage output. An Assault Vest enables Raikou to more comfortably switch into special attackers such as Thundurus, Mega Manectric, Manaphy, Keldeo, and Mega Charizard Y.
Under rain, Raikou gets the luxury of being able to use a 100% accurate Thunder. Thunder itself also has an added bonus of a 30% paralysis chance. Though the power change from Thunderbolt to Thunder isn't huge. The added power and paralysis chance is nice. Volt Switch gives it a safe move to pivot and wear down defensive threats with. Hidden Power Ice is compulsory coverage to hit Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp, which otherwise completely wall Raikou. I still haven't decided on the last move slot. Being able to threaten M-Venusaur is nice. But so is 2HKOing Latios with Shadow Ball.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
Ferrothorn and Rain go together like peanut butter & chocolate. Many would-be problematic Pokemon are held at bay thanks to its unique set of resistances and bulk as well as both of it's supportive and offensive moves.
I've opted for the standard EV and move set. It seems to work so far. Any suggestions on improvement are welcome.
Though Protect may seem as an odd choice. Considering it waste a turn of rain. It has come in handy. Combining it with Leech Seed and Politoad's toxic performs wonderfully as well as helping my scout out moves.
