Alright, I would like to thank Rising_Dusk for considering me for this analysis, honor taken. Let's hope we can all get busy with this little guy...
Credits to Dusk also for making this easy to read for all of us...
Status: Done!
QC Approvals: (3/3) (Iconic) (PK Gaming) (Eo Ut Mortus)
GP Approvals: (4/2) (Gen. Empoleon <3) (Calm PokeMaster <3) (+ Chou Toshio) (+Rising Dusk) (+jc104)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Politoed
[Overview]
<p>Since its debut, Politoed had been considered a depressingly outclassed Pokemon, with only a few niche moves to give it any sort of competitive interest. Confronted with steep competition from other superior Water-types, including Suicune, Starmie, Milotic, and even Golduck, Politoed became one of the most forgettable competitive Pokemon in history. Three generations later, everything changed.</p>
<p>The emergence of the Dream World brought Politoed one of the most game-changing abilities that exists: Drizzle. Previously exclusive to Kyogre, this ability allows Politoed to provide valuable team support in the form of eternal rain. Politoed is no slouch either with impressive defenses; its bulk, combined with a decent Special Attack stat and double-STAB Water-type attacks thanks to rain, makes Politoed difficult to defeat. While this zero-to-hero will encounter obstacles in threats such as Ferrothorn and opposing bulky Water-types, Politoed-powered rain teams are extremely effective.</p>
<p>Despite that Drizzle Politoed with Swift Swim teammates is probably the first thing you want to try, it is important to note that a ban was implemented disallowing this combination of abilities on any team. Politoed, nevertheless, is still a key factor in the success of many rain abusers, such as Pokemon weak to Fire-type attacks, Pokemon that can abuse Water-type attacks, and Pokemon with an assortment of other rain-driven abilities like Dry Skin and Rain Dish. Politoed is a huge influence on BW OU, and has aided tremendously in shaping the metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest / Timid
ability: Drizzle
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Politoed admittedly lacks the traits of traditional Choice Specs users—most notably high Special Attack and Speed stats—Drizzle makes it a potent threat. Factoring in rain's boost to Water-type attacks, Politoed's double-STAB Hydro Pump is <em>the</em> golden arrow of OU, powering through many Pokemon that resist it. Unlike other Choice Specs users, Politoed can be played like a tank, should you not require it to be healthy in order to restore rain. Water typing gives it few weaknesses, and with good bulk, it can sponge even some super effective attacks.</p>
<p>The Water-type attack chosen is Politoed's main weapon; all other attacks are just coverage for use based on circumstance. Ice Beam allows Politoed to check opposing Dragon- and Grass-type foes, who resist Politoed's Water-type moves. Focus Blast is useful for smashing Ferrothorn and Empoleon. The last slot is given to Hidden Power Grass to cover Water Absorb Jellicent, Rotom-W, Storm Drain Gastrodon, and the rare Water Absorb Quagsire. Keep in mind when using Politoed that a neutral Hydro Pump will deal more damage than 2x super effective coverage moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>To illustrate the power that Choice Specs Politoed packs, some calculations assuming a Modest nature are listed below:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculations">
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/4 Blissey: 40.5% - 47.9%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/216 Scizor: 103.2% - 121.5%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/252 Reuniclus: 101.9% - 120.1%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/0 +1 Reuniclus: 67.8% - 79.9%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/224+ Jirachi: 68.6% - 80.9%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (sun) vs. 0/4 Ninetales: 87.8% - 103.1%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (sandstorm) vs. 252/252+ Tyranitar: 59.9% - 71.3%</li>
</ul>
<p>Maximum Special Attack EV investment is necessary, as Politoed needs the power. Maximum Speed investment allows Politoed to outrun major threats, such as Scizor and specially defensive Jirachi. Investing in general bulk can be useful, however, so all of the Speed EVs can be relocated to HP for extra bulk.</p>
<p>Water Absorb Pokemon are excellent checks to Choice-locked Politoed. Gastrodon and Jellicent will fare well against all moves but Hidden Power Grass. Politoed should also be wary of wasting Hydro Pump's PP against very specially bulky foes, such as Blissey and Celebi. Having alternative methods to handle Politoed's checks and counters is extremely important. Magnezone supports Politoed spectacularly by taking out Ferrothorn, and simultaneously appreciates rain support to reduce Fire-type damage. Paralysis support from the likes of Jirachi, Thundurus, Dragonite, and Rotom-W is also appreciated to compensate for Politoed's low Speed. All of these Pokemon also greatly appreciate rain support; Jirachi takes pitiful damage from Fire-type attacks in rain, Thundurus can sweep with STAB Thunder in rain, Dragonite can abuse Thunder and Hurricane, and Rotom-W can sweep with its double-STAB Hydro Pump and STAB Thunder. With entry hazard support, Politoed is able to achieve OHKOs and 2HKOs it could have never attained before. Ferrothorn, with its 4x Fire-type weakness, loves playing in the rain and can set up Spikes or Stealth Rock depending on what the team needs. It also matches up well against many Pokemon that otherwise bother Politoed, like Latios.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Modest / Timid
ability: Drizzle
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a Choice Scarf, Politoed can eliminate many enemy weather abusers with fast super effective attacks or its powerful STAB Water-type attacks. With the popularity of sun- and sandstorm-based teams in the metagame, all Politoed needs to do is switch in to activate Drizzle, and proceed to revenge kill common weather abusers, such as Excadrill, Venusaur, and Sawsbuck with the appropriate moves.</p>
<p>While weak stat-wise, the extra damage from rain makes Hydro Pump and Surf as powerful as is needed for revenge killing. Whereas Hydro Pump is the more powerful option, Surf is generally more beneficial against weather abusers where reliability matters most. Ice Beam, Focus Blast, and Hidden Power Grass complete this set's coverage, allowing Politoed to check some threats that resist Hydro Pump and Surf. Surf maybe used alongside Hydro Pump over Hidden Power Grass, allowing Politoed to choose between power and accuracy based on the situation.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Maximize Politoed's Special Attack and Speed with the available EVs as bulk is not especially relevant for this particular Politoed. A Modest nature is primarily used to help Politoed's Special Attack while still allowing it to outspeed common unboosted weather abusers in the rain, including Venusaur, Excadrill, and Sawsbuck. If one decides to use Politoed as a general revenge killer, though, a Timid nature can be used in order to outspeed a wider range of threats. A Timid nature ensures that Politoed outruns +1 Adamant Dragonite, Choice Scarf Tyranitar, and positive-natured base 115 Speed Pokemon such as Starmie and Raikou.</p>
<p>Jellicent and Ferrothorn can sponge Politoed's moves easily thanks to great special bulk and advantageous typing. This Politoed also has issues with bulky Calm Mind boosters such as Reuniclus. Though some of Politoed's faster checks can be removed, Politoed cannot continually switch into powerful attacks due to the lack of defensive investment. Breloom is able to check many of Politoed's counters with STAB Seed Bomb or Focus Punch. Toxicroak can be used in the same vein with a Bulk Up set, with the benefit of Dry Skin keeping it in battle longer. Starmie, Thundurus, Tornadus, and other extremely powerful rain abusers are good options for a team using Choice Scarf Politoed because they can switch in and dole out massive damage against Politoed's traditional checks.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Hypnosis / Toxic
move 3: Encore / Perish Song
move 4: Protect / Ice Beam / Focus Blast
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
ability: Drizzle
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Politoed can opt for a more defensive role, while still providing rain support with Drizzle. While Politoed is by no means the best bulky Water-type or support Pokemon, face it, you'll consider using Politoed for its ability, Drizzle. Unlike the offensive sets, this Politoed is designed to survive for as long as possible until threats—most notably other weather starters—are eliminated.</p>
<p>As with similar bulky Water-type Pokemon, Scald is the primary STAB attack for its 30% chance to burn the opponent. The rest of the moveslots depend on the user’s preferences. Toxic can be used to soften other walls and tanks, such as Jellicent and Dusclops. While Hypnosis does have rather disappointing accuracy, the possibility of shutting down a threat makes it worth considering. The third moveslot is a toss-up between two extremely useful utility moves. Perish Song is an excellent option on stall teams to stop possible threats that set up, such as Calm Mind Jirachi, Calm Mind Reuniclus, and Baton Pass teams. Meanwhile, Encore can be used to force out a threat that attempts to set up on Politoed.</p>
<p>Since Politoed lacks reliable recovery, Protect can be used in the last slot to gain an extra turn of Leftovers recovery, scout incoming attacks, as well as stall out opposing Pokemon through poison or burn damage. Either Ice Beam, for Dragon- and Grass-types, or Focus Blast, for Ferrothorn and Tyranitar, should be used if you need a coverage option against them.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There is little to be gained from investing in anything other than Politoed's HP and Defense, since its main job is to remain alive. A specially bulky variant of this set can be used with max Special Defense instead of Defense if the needs of your team call for it.</p>
<p>Powerful, offensive rain attackers, such as Starmie, Thundurus, and Tornadus, can batter any team with their devastating attacks. Additionally, Thundurus can use priority Thunder Wave to instantly paralyze fast non-Ground-type opponents, notably Dragon-types and Quiver Dance users. Jirachi complements Politoed fairly well, as it can set up on many defensive threats with Calm Mind, or alternatively, provide support with Wish and paralysis. With the use of Perish Song and Encore, Politoed also forces many switches, making entry hazard users such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Forretress (all three of whom appreciate the damper on Fire-type attacks) optimal teammates. Like most defensive Pokemon, Politoed hates dealing with Toxic Spikes. Using Dry Skin Toxicroak takes care of the Toxic Spikes problem while simultaneously keeping Ferrothorn and other problem Pokemon in check. Starmie, while an amazing offensive threat in its own right, is also able to use Rapid Spin and clear the field of all hazards. Finally, since Politoed lacks an instant recovery move, Wish healing from the likes of Blissey, Eviolite Chansey, and Jirachi is appreciated to preserve Politoed's health.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Don't use any of Politoed's other abilities, as if you do, you may as well use a better Water-type like Jellicent or Vaporeon. Politoed’s only other notable support option is Haze. Politoed can also use the RestTalk strategy to keep itself healthy, and this can be particularly annoying combined with Scald's burn chance. Politoed can also forgo Sleep Talk on such a set and pack a Chesto Berry for a one-time no-penalty full recovery.</p>
<p>Offensively, Politoed does have access to Belly Drum, but lacks the Attack and Speed to utilize a set based around it. Also, quite frankly, you don't want to sacrifice 50% of your weather starter's HP for a sweep that will almost assuredly fail. Politoed can also use Endeavor for a surprise, but in most cases one of its coverage options is the better choice. Politoed can run an all-out offensive set with a non-choice item, such as Life Orb or Leftovers, but this is generally better left to Politoed's offensive rain teammates. Lastly, Psychic can be used on any set for screwing with Toxicroak, which otherwise walls Politoed entirely.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Politoed's best switch-ins are those with Water Absorb, a resistance to Water-type attacks, or amazing special bulk. These switch-ins should be mindful of burns from Scald and sleep from Hypnosis, however. Suicune is one of the best Politoed checks, as it can use Calm Mind, Rest, and Sleep Talk to shrug off anything non-Perish Song Politoed uses. If Politoed isn't faster, Suicune usually does not mind Encore either. Jellicent and Vaporeon, both having solid special bulk and Water Absorb, can sponge everything Politoed throws at them bar Toxic. Electric- and Grass-type Pokemon with a strong STAB attack, such as Jolteon, Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, Shaymin, and Celebi, can usually check Politoed in a pinch. Like the other bulky Water-types, Politoed is extremely susceptible to Toxic and Toxic Spikes, which hinder its longevity significantly. Both Latias and Latios can brush off Ice Beam with their special bulk, and Latias with enough defensive investment can take boosted Hydro Pumps as well. Latias can Calm Mind against Politoed, while Latios outright maims it with Draco Meteor if it stays in. Both should be mindful of Ferrothorn switch-ins, though, and prepare accordingly. Magnezone is a great weapon against a Ferrothorn and Politoed core, with STAB Electric-type attacks for Politoed and Magnet Pull for Ferrothorn.</p>
<p>Since many rain teams rely on Politoed as their source of power, other forms of weather are checks to Politoed as well. It would be foolish to send in a weather inducer early in the game, only to be defeated by Politoed or its teammates. Abomasnow, with its Ice / Grass typing and good Special Defense, is the only weather inducer that is actually capable of defeating Politoed one-on-one. Notably, if the opposing team happens to contain a Swift Swim user—most commonly Kingdra—Politoed will have to find a way around it without making too many sacrifices. When using other inducers, the best thing to do is to try defeat Politoed as quickly as possible. Due to Team Preview, this may be difficult to execute, but since Politoed lacks recovery and can be crippled with Toxic, it will go down to constant pressure.</p>
Credits to Dusk also for making this easy to read for all of us...
Status: Done!
QC Approvals: (3/3) (Iconic) (PK Gaming) (Eo Ut Mortus)
GP Approvals: (4/2) (Gen. Empoleon <3) (Calm PokeMaster <3) (+ Chou Toshio) (+Rising Dusk) (+jc104)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Politoed
[Overview]
<p>Since its debut, Politoed had been considered a depressingly outclassed Pokemon, with only a few niche moves to give it any sort of competitive interest. Confronted with steep competition from other superior Water-types, including Suicune, Starmie, Milotic, and even Golduck, Politoed became one of the most forgettable competitive Pokemon in history. Three generations later, everything changed.</p>
<p>The emergence of the Dream World brought Politoed one of the most game-changing abilities that exists: Drizzle. Previously exclusive to Kyogre, this ability allows Politoed to provide valuable team support in the form of eternal rain. Politoed is no slouch either with impressive defenses; its bulk, combined with a decent Special Attack stat and double-STAB Water-type attacks thanks to rain, makes Politoed difficult to defeat. While this zero-to-hero will encounter obstacles in threats such as Ferrothorn and opposing bulky Water-types, Politoed-powered rain teams are extremely effective.</p>
<p>Despite that Drizzle Politoed with Swift Swim teammates is probably the first thing you want to try, it is important to note that a ban was implemented disallowing this combination of abilities on any team. Politoed, nevertheless, is still a key factor in the success of many rain abusers, such as Pokemon weak to Fire-type attacks, Pokemon that can abuse Water-type attacks, and Pokemon with an assortment of other rain-driven abilities like Dry Skin and Rain Dish. Politoed is a huge influence on BW OU, and has aided tremendously in shaping the metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest / Timid
ability: Drizzle
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Politoed admittedly lacks the traits of traditional Choice Specs users—most notably high Special Attack and Speed stats—Drizzle makes it a potent threat. Factoring in rain's boost to Water-type attacks, Politoed's double-STAB Hydro Pump is <em>the</em> golden arrow of OU, powering through many Pokemon that resist it. Unlike other Choice Specs users, Politoed can be played like a tank, should you not require it to be healthy in order to restore rain. Water typing gives it few weaknesses, and with good bulk, it can sponge even some super effective attacks.</p>
<p>The Water-type attack chosen is Politoed's main weapon; all other attacks are just coverage for use based on circumstance. Ice Beam allows Politoed to check opposing Dragon- and Grass-type foes, who resist Politoed's Water-type moves. Focus Blast is useful for smashing Ferrothorn and Empoleon. The last slot is given to Hidden Power Grass to cover Water Absorb Jellicent, Rotom-W, Storm Drain Gastrodon, and the rare Water Absorb Quagsire. Keep in mind when using Politoed that a neutral Hydro Pump will deal more damage than 2x super effective coverage moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>To illustrate the power that Choice Specs Politoed packs, some calculations assuming a Modest nature are listed below:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculations">
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/4 Blissey: 40.5% - 47.9%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/216 Scizor: 103.2% - 121.5%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/252 Reuniclus: 101.9% - 120.1%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/0 +1 Reuniclus: 67.8% - 79.9%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (rain) vs. 252/224+ Jirachi: 68.6% - 80.9%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (sun) vs. 0/4 Ninetales: 87.8% - 103.1%</li>
<li>Hydro Pump (sandstorm) vs. 252/252+ Tyranitar: 59.9% - 71.3%</li>
</ul>
<p>Maximum Special Attack EV investment is necessary, as Politoed needs the power. Maximum Speed investment allows Politoed to outrun major threats, such as Scizor and specially defensive Jirachi. Investing in general bulk can be useful, however, so all of the Speed EVs can be relocated to HP for extra bulk.</p>
<p>Water Absorb Pokemon are excellent checks to Choice-locked Politoed. Gastrodon and Jellicent will fare well against all moves but Hidden Power Grass. Politoed should also be wary of wasting Hydro Pump's PP against very specially bulky foes, such as Blissey and Celebi. Having alternative methods to handle Politoed's checks and counters is extremely important. Magnezone supports Politoed spectacularly by taking out Ferrothorn, and simultaneously appreciates rain support to reduce Fire-type damage. Paralysis support from the likes of Jirachi, Thundurus, Dragonite, and Rotom-W is also appreciated to compensate for Politoed's low Speed. All of these Pokemon also greatly appreciate rain support; Jirachi takes pitiful damage from Fire-type attacks in rain, Thundurus can sweep with STAB Thunder in rain, Dragonite can abuse Thunder and Hurricane, and Rotom-W can sweep with its double-STAB Hydro Pump and STAB Thunder. With entry hazard support, Politoed is able to achieve OHKOs and 2HKOs it could have never attained before. Ferrothorn, with its 4x Fire-type weakness, loves playing in the rain and can set up Spikes or Stealth Rock depending on what the team needs. It also matches up well against many Pokemon that otherwise bother Politoed, like Latios.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Modest / Timid
ability: Drizzle
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a Choice Scarf, Politoed can eliminate many enemy weather abusers with fast super effective attacks or its powerful STAB Water-type attacks. With the popularity of sun- and sandstorm-based teams in the metagame, all Politoed needs to do is switch in to activate Drizzle, and proceed to revenge kill common weather abusers, such as Excadrill, Venusaur, and Sawsbuck with the appropriate moves.</p>
<p>While weak stat-wise, the extra damage from rain makes Hydro Pump and Surf as powerful as is needed for revenge killing. Whereas Hydro Pump is the more powerful option, Surf is generally more beneficial against weather abusers where reliability matters most. Ice Beam, Focus Blast, and Hidden Power Grass complete this set's coverage, allowing Politoed to check some threats that resist Hydro Pump and Surf. Surf maybe used alongside Hydro Pump over Hidden Power Grass, allowing Politoed to choose between power and accuracy based on the situation.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Maximize Politoed's Special Attack and Speed with the available EVs as bulk is not especially relevant for this particular Politoed. A Modest nature is primarily used to help Politoed's Special Attack while still allowing it to outspeed common unboosted weather abusers in the rain, including Venusaur, Excadrill, and Sawsbuck. If one decides to use Politoed as a general revenge killer, though, a Timid nature can be used in order to outspeed a wider range of threats. A Timid nature ensures that Politoed outruns +1 Adamant Dragonite, Choice Scarf Tyranitar, and positive-natured base 115 Speed Pokemon such as Starmie and Raikou.</p>
<p>Jellicent and Ferrothorn can sponge Politoed's moves easily thanks to great special bulk and advantageous typing. This Politoed also has issues with bulky Calm Mind boosters such as Reuniclus. Though some of Politoed's faster checks can be removed, Politoed cannot continually switch into powerful attacks due to the lack of defensive investment. Breloom is able to check many of Politoed's counters with STAB Seed Bomb or Focus Punch. Toxicroak can be used in the same vein with a Bulk Up set, with the benefit of Dry Skin keeping it in battle longer. Starmie, Thundurus, Tornadus, and other extremely powerful rain abusers are good options for a team using Choice Scarf Politoed because they can switch in and dole out massive damage against Politoed's traditional checks.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Hypnosis / Toxic
move 3: Encore / Perish Song
move 4: Protect / Ice Beam / Focus Blast
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
ability: Drizzle
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Politoed can opt for a more defensive role, while still providing rain support with Drizzle. While Politoed is by no means the best bulky Water-type or support Pokemon, face it, you'll consider using Politoed for its ability, Drizzle. Unlike the offensive sets, this Politoed is designed to survive for as long as possible until threats—most notably other weather starters—are eliminated.</p>
<p>As with similar bulky Water-type Pokemon, Scald is the primary STAB attack for its 30% chance to burn the opponent. The rest of the moveslots depend on the user’s preferences. Toxic can be used to soften other walls and tanks, such as Jellicent and Dusclops. While Hypnosis does have rather disappointing accuracy, the possibility of shutting down a threat makes it worth considering. The third moveslot is a toss-up between two extremely useful utility moves. Perish Song is an excellent option on stall teams to stop possible threats that set up, such as Calm Mind Jirachi, Calm Mind Reuniclus, and Baton Pass teams. Meanwhile, Encore can be used to force out a threat that attempts to set up on Politoed.</p>
<p>Since Politoed lacks reliable recovery, Protect can be used in the last slot to gain an extra turn of Leftovers recovery, scout incoming attacks, as well as stall out opposing Pokemon through poison or burn damage. Either Ice Beam, for Dragon- and Grass-types, or Focus Blast, for Ferrothorn and Tyranitar, should be used if you need a coverage option against them.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There is little to be gained from investing in anything other than Politoed's HP and Defense, since its main job is to remain alive. A specially bulky variant of this set can be used with max Special Defense instead of Defense if the needs of your team call for it.</p>
<p>Powerful, offensive rain attackers, such as Starmie, Thundurus, and Tornadus, can batter any team with their devastating attacks. Additionally, Thundurus can use priority Thunder Wave to instantly paralyze fast non-Ground-type opponents, notably Dragon-types and Quiver Dance users. Jirachi complements Politoed fairly well, as it can set up on many defensive threats with Calm Mind, or alternatively, provide support with Wish and paralysis. With the use of Perish Song and Encore, Politoed also forces many switches, making entry hazard users such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Forretress (all three of whom appreciate the damper on Fire-type attacks) optimal teammates. Like most defensive Pokemon, Politoed hates dealing with Toxic Spikes. Using Dry Skin Toxicroak takes care of the Toxic Spikes problem while simultaneously keeping Ferrothorn and other problem Pokemon in check. Starmie, while an amazing offensive threat in its own right, is also able to use Rapid Spin and clear the field of all hazards. Finally, since Politoed lacks an instant recovery move, Wish healing from the likes of Blissey, Eviolite Chansey, and Jirachi is appreciated to preserve Politoed's health.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Don't use any of Politoed's other abilities, as if you do, you may as well use a better Water-type like Jellicent or Vaporeon. Politoed’s only other notable support option is Haze. Politoed can also use the RestTalk strategy to keep itself healthy, and this can be particularly annoying combined with Scald's burn chance. Politoed can also forgo Sleep Talk on such a set and pack a Chesto Berry for a one-time no-penalty full recovery.</p>
<p>Offensively, Politoed does have access to Belly Drum, but lacks the Attack and Speed to utilize a set based around it. Also, quite frankly, you don't want to sacrifice 50% of your weather starter's HP for a sweep that will almost assuredly fail. Politoed can also use Endeavor for a surprise, but in most cases one of its coverage options is the better choice. Politoed can run an all-out offensive set with a non-choice item, such as Life Orb or Leftovers, but this is generally better left to Politoed's offensive rain teammates. Lastly, Psychic can be used on any set for screwing with Toxicroak, which otherwise walls Politoed entirely.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Politoed's best switch-ins are those with Water Absorb, a resistance to Water-type attacks, or amazing special bulk. These switch-ins should be mindful of burns from Scald and sleep from Hypnosis, however. Suicune is one of the best Politoed checks, as it can use Calm Mind, Rest, and Sleep Talk to shrug off anything non-Perish Song Politoed uses. If Politoed isn't faster, Suicune usually does not mind Encore either. Jellicent and Vaporeon, both having solid special bulk and Water Absorb, can sponge everything Politoed throws at them bar Toxic. Electric- and Grass-type Pokemon with a strong STAB attack, such as Jolteon, Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, Shaymin, and Celebi, can usually check Politoed in a pinch. Like the other bulky Water-types, Politoed is extremely susceptible to Toxic and Toxic Spikes, which hinder its longevity significantly. Both Latias and Latios can brush off Ice Beam with their special bulk, and Latias with enough defensive investment can take boosted Hydro Pumps as well. Latias can Calm Mind against Politoed, while Latios outright maims it with Draco Meteor if it stays in. Both should be mindful of Ferrothorn switch-ins, though, and prepare accordingly. Magnezone is a great weapon against a Ferrothorn and Politoed core, with STAB Electric-type attacks for Politoed and Magnet Pull for Ferrothorn.</p>
<p>Since many rain teams rely on Politoed as their source of power, other forms of weather are checks to Politoed as well. It would be foolish to send in a weather inducer early in the game, only to be defeated by Politoed or its teammates. Abomasnow, with its Ice / Grass typing and good Special Defense, is the only weather inducer that is actually capable of defeating Politoed one-on-one. Notably, if the opposing team happens to contain a Swift Swim user—most commonly Kingdra—Politoed will have to find a way around it without making too many sacrifices. When using other inducers, the best thing to do is to try defeat Politoed as quickly as possible. Due to Team Preview, this may be difficult to execute, but since Politoed lacks recovery and can be crippled with Toxic, it will go down to constant pressure.</p>
