Rain Dance (RMT)

[Dark Void]

I have been running this since January to some excellent results. It's pretty consistent and before anyone states it, does not lack offense due to the lack of Swift Swimmers.

Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/6 Atk/252 Def
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Hypnosis
- Rain Dance
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
Bronzong always works well as a lead for me. His ability, Levitate, gives him a Fire weakness, which is essentially handled quite well by Rain Dance, weakening said Fire moves. Earthquake over Gyro Ball because my team doesn't handle Electrics (namely Electivire) very well. Allowing me to go Impish also helps against enemy Bronzong.

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/46 Def/176 Spd/36 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Roost
- Rain Dance
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Zapdos works really well on this team. Zapdos has 5 resistences and 1 immunity, of which are mainstream physical attacking types. I first pumped max into HP to bring out those useful resists. 176 speed EVs allows for Lucario and below outspeeds, and 46 defense allows the survival of two CB Close Combats from Heracross. I then dumped the rest into SpA to get a little (...little) kick behind those Thunders.

Swampert (♂) @ Choice Band
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 54 HP/252 Atk/204 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Avalanche
- Earthquake
Swampert has probably gotten the best results out of the entire team. He is designed to take out walls, and he does exactly that. In the rain, Skarmory is 2HKO'd by Waterfall. This means that alot of mainstream physical walls are 2HKO'd, barring a few such as Tangrowth. He is EVd towards outspeeding these walls and bulky waters such as Suicune. Swampert can also take a few hits while effectively sweeping as well.

Toxicroak (♂) @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 36 Atk/220 Spd/252 SAtk
Rash nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Stone Edge
- Cross Chop
- Swords Dance
- Hidden Power [Ice]
I was originally running a Sub/FP variant, and then recently shifted over to CB. I just used this today and it's doing pretty well so far. With the current investment, Toxicroak 2HKOs Hippowdon with HP:Ice. It's very easy to predict switches to bulky grounds, so I don't have to worry about get smacked with an Earthquake. Anyway, Toxicroak is mainly a late game sweeper. He has 220 speed EVs to outspeed Gyarados, which also means things like Adamant Mamoswine.

Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 236 HP/216 Spd/58 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Surf
Starmie is really such an asset to the team. Rapid Spin keeps those rocks away from Zapdos. Ice Beam hits chomper and Salamence, who threatens the team pretty deeply, depending on the variant. Surf can really land some nice damage in the rain, and what I love about Starmie is that it doesn't rely on the rain to effectively sweep, just like all of my other Pokemon that bring offense to the table.

Blissey (♀) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 148 HP/252 Def/110 SAtk
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Seismic Toss
- Ice Beam

I needed something to soak up special attacks and I usually can't live with a cleric, so yay Blissey. Fairly standard, not much else to say. =/

Threat List

Tyranitar - Bronzong handles Tyranitar pretty well, barring a Choice Band version. In which case I can make use of resistences or just go to Swampert to soak up an attack and Earthquake it.
Gyarados - Gyarados is pretty tricky, but I can definatley work around it. Gyarados usually runs two attacks, and one usually consists of Waterfall. If the variant runs Waterfall/Stone Edge, Toxicroak can handle it. If it is an Earthquake variant, then Zapdos has it covered. Swampert can also eat a hit and Stone Edge for a possible OHKO.
Infernape - Zapdos walls this thing quite effectively, taking into account its weakened fire attacks from the Rain. If the Rain isn't out, I have Starmie who can force Infernape out pretty well.
Azelf - Blissey is my main counter to Azelf. If it is an Explosion variant, then I either predict and go to Bronzong or suffer the concequences, but I can usually manage without Blissey.
Electivire - Bronzong takes care of this guy just fine. Swampert can destroy non-HP:Grass variants.
Heracross - Zapdos can come in on anything non-Stone Edge. I can survive one Stone Edge and Roost it off, but it could be risky if it is scarfed or if rocks are down. Toxicroak resists all of his attacks and can come in on him easily with the 12.5% health recovery from the rain.
Salamence - Blissey can obviously deal with the specs variant, and Starmie can handle the Dragon Dance variant well. Bronzong seems to handle any kind of CB variant, but I haven't seen those in a while.
Togekiss - Zapdos does really well against Togekiss, resisting Fighting and Flying, and being able to pose a rather large threat with Thunder.
Gengar - Blissey. In the event of an Explosion variant or McGar variant, I can predict my way out of Explosion and McGar is handled by Zapdos quite well.
Garchomp - Bronzong takes care of any sort of scarf variant, and doesn't usually have to worry about Fire Blast. Swords Dancer is probably the biggest threat to this team, but I can work in a sacrifice and revenge kill if I have to, at least scaring it off and then I can predict into it and not let it set up.
Lucario - Zapdos does well agaisnt the Swords Dance variant and can make a switch into Blissey if I find myself on the recieving end of a specs HP:Ice.
Starmie - Blissey handles Starmie well.
Weavile - Bronzong. Swampert can handle a Swords Dance variant if Bronzong can't get the Hypnosis off.
Dugtrio - .....Blissey
PorygonZ - Blissey. In the event of a Hyper Beam NP-Z, I really don't know what to do. Perhaps I'll lol because I've seen that...zero times in D/P.
Machamp - I really do hate this fucking Pokemon. I ALWAYS lose to confusion, but Zapdos is my bet bet.
Snorlax - Bronzong walls him quite well, and sleeps him into a switch to something to threaten it.
Zapdos - Blissey. I can break the Substitutes with Seismic Toss so I only have to work about agility passing.
Suicune - This is another threat to the team. Zapdos can hit it with Thunder, and Swampert can 2HKO with Earthquake. I really don't ever feel safe switching in though.
Breloom - I let something take the sleep and then go to Zapdos to handle it.
Slaking - Bronzong.
Ninjask - I'm not really worried about anything it's passing to. I'll just break the sub and then deal with the switch.
Metagross - Bronzong. Zapdos can also handle most physical variants and handles Mixgross.
Heatran - Blissey. Read another one of my exploder comments above.
Jirachi - Swampert.
Dragonite - Starmie.
Mamoswine - Bronzong.
Gallade - I can work around the CB version quite easily and the double status variant hasn't caused much trouble with Blissey around.
Yanmega - Blissey
Kingdra - *rain dance team that loses to kingdra* I can usually lure this thing into wasting a Draco Meteor and then going to Toxicroak. If it isn't mixed, Blissey can handle it.
Roserade - Zapdos. I usually let Bronzong take the sleep against leads. Toxicroak can soak up the Toxic Spikes that it spends two turns setting up.
Scizor - Swampert/Zapdos/Bronzong.

 

[iKara]

Very poorly put together team IMO, You have one rain dancer, no swift swim pokes and mot of your team does not benefit from rain, 2 pokemon max should be able to function without rain dance. Try to fit in a kingdra and a kabutops, and save zong for later.

 

[Dark Void]

Very poorly put together team IMO, You have one rain dancer, no swift swim pokes and mot of your team does not benefit from rain, 2 pokemon max should be able to function without rain dance. Try to fit in a kingdra and a kabutops, and save zong for later.

I have two Rain Dancers, which is all I need. A Swift Swimmer would be nice, but they are very reliant on Rain Dance and are easily screwed over by auto-weather changers. The current team functions well without rain and even better with it, which was the main goal when building it.

Anyway, what would Kabutops accomplish that Swampert doesn't? Sure Kabutops can sweep, but Swampert can 2HKO common physical walls too. Adding in Kabutops or Kingdra would also open me up to alot of new threats as well.

 

[futuresuperstar]

I disagree. He's using rain to his advantage, and mainly is taking away other teams benefits of sandstorm and hail.

Neat Toxicroak, by the way. I'd say the only thing missing is maybe some more power to take advantage of a team missing one or two physical walls at the hands of Swampert. Toxicroak may die fairly quickly, and you might want another physical attacking force to make up for it (Bronzong is too weak, Zapdos, Blissey, and Starmie are special attackers).

 

[Dark Void]

Neat Toxicroak, by the way. I'd say the only thing missing is maybe some more power to take advantage of a team missing one or two physical walls at the hands of Swampert. Toxicroak may die fairly quickly, and you might want another physical attacking force to make up for it (Bronzong is too weak, Zapdos, Blissey, and Starmie are special attackers).

Well, as stated, Toxicroak is a late game sweeper and he can usually eat the attacks he is suppose to counter really well and potentially heal it off through the rain. This can generally keep him around rather long and really do some damage once Swampert has cleared the way of physical walls.

Now that I think about it, if Swampert takes care of physical walls, I probably would want coverage over power. Namely X-Scissor to get rid of Celebi.

 

[TheNastyz]

This team is good. As you mention, the only threats to your team are mixed variants. So long as you have good prediction & identified some of the opponent's team you're good. In my opinion, you might want to run T-bolt on Starmie (your choice mainly if Zapdos can take a lot since I don't know).
A lot of originality on this team & it can work well like any other good team. 4.5/5=wow

 

[Dark Void]

An ideal Rain team for me would have Ludicolo on Kingdra for me, so kudos for being, well, QUITE original on the composition, but good luck getting past defensive teams.

Timid on Dos.

Defensive teams haven't been a problem. Only Celebi, generally.

Zapdos doesn't need timid.

 

[Dark Void]

No? Well, I recommend it anyway.

I realize that, but why?

 

[Earthworm]

Nice team, you have some issues with Grass types though, especially those that can take an Ice Beam such as Celebi and Abomasnow in particular. I might be missing something but Tentacruel might help over Starmie (although that means losing dual Natural Cure ).

 

[Dark Void]

Nice team, you have some issues with Grass types though, especially those that can take an Ice Beam such as Celebi and Abomasnow in particular. I might be missing something but Tentacruel might help over Starmie (although that means losing dual Natural Cure ).

I played what I thought would be one of the biggest threats to the team, a mixed attacker Abomasnow. Zapdos and Starmie worked well together to outstall it. Zapdos can take a Blizzard and then Pressure stall those out, and Focus Punch/Grass attacks don't do much. I alternated between the two to get rid of some Leech Seed PP. It didn't stand much of a threat.

As for Celebi, yes it's a pretty big threat. I am considering X-Scissor over Swords Dance on Toxicroak and maybe altering the EV spread a bit.

I originally had Tentacruel over Starmie but Toxic Spikes weren't really worth the lack of recovery.

 

[Doma Orichalcos]

Tangrowth may slow the team down a bit, but it's great as it is.
Nice going.

 

[Shen]

The only weakness Kingdra would open you up to would be Dragon, and under the influence of rain you're faster than even ScarfChomp. I would personally start with Zapdos to outspeed Gyarados taunts. You might want Wet Rock on one of those pokes to keep rain up for longer, and Hydro Pump over Surf on Starmie for (damp) fireworks.

100th post!

 

[RaikouLover]

A rain dance team with no Kingdra? Im appalled...Seriously, this team needs offense, because NOTHING on here is sweeping. Get Kingdra in here ASAP.

Fix Toxicroak! HP Ice plus all those EVs is an absolute waste on a team that boasts rain dance. A swift swimmer easily solves any Hippo problem, and no rain dance team should EVER fear Hippo or Tyranitar... theyre weak to water!

 

[Dark Void]

A rain dance team with no Kingdra? Im appalled...Seriously, this team needs offense, because NOTHING on here is sweeping. Get Kingdra in here ASAP.

Fix Toxicroak! HP Ice plus all those EVs is an absolute waste on a team that boasts rain dance. A swift swimmer easily solves any Hippo problem, and no rain dance team should EVER fear Hippo or Tyranitar... theyre weak to water!

Kingdra is not needed. I would much rather have Toxicroak who can absorb Toxic Spikes in the case of an anti-spinner showing up, and provide usefull resistences aswell as a water immunity. Sure Kingdra has a 4x water resist, but getting hit with boosted attacks and taking rocks and Life Orb damage only lets Kingdra last so long. Toxicroak at least gets some health back through the rain to null his Life Orb.

The team is not meant to be offensive, more so balanced. Please tell me, what does Kingdra do without rain? Not much unless it's a Choice Specs Sniper variant, in which case you wouldn't be running it on a Rain Dance team. If I were attempting an offensive build, I would put Swift Swimmers in and I would have to alter my items (Damp Rock) and get another Rain Dancer in here (most likely fill a slot on Kingdra). This is due to issues of inconsistency through Swift Swimmers and their reliance on rain.

I've seen you around here with your Rain Dance teams, but trust me. I have been running Rain Dance since Advance, I have had tons of offensive builds. This has proven to be far more consistent in every match I have played. If your opponent has any clue of what they're playing, they'll realize to switch their Tyranitar / Hippowdon / Abomasnow to deprive you of the rain whenever you are attempting to set it up. Rain Dance teams are just at too much of a disadvantage through auto weather starters to rely on Rain Dance. If you can get offense to work, kudos to you. In my expierence, a balanced Rain Dance team with the ability to function well without Rain Dance and better with it is far more consistent.

Toxicroak doesn't need fixing. He has netted me several Hippowdon / Donphan / Gliscor kills already, and has serve very well as a late game sweeper. As for a Swift Swimmer solving a Hippo problem, what needs solving? Toxicroak is much happier not being walled late game by a Hippo.

 

[Ash Borer]

Bronzong can utilize damp rock really well. Try it on him, 8 turns of rain will really be useful.

With all those speed evs, ice punch could be quite useful on swampert.

 

[Dark Void]

Bronzong can utilize damp rock really well. Try it on him, 8 turns of rain will really be useful.

With all those speed evs, ice punch could be quite useful on swampert.

I originally had Damp Rock on Bronzong but I never found myself needing 3 extra turns of Rain Dance. Leftovers are much better in my expierence.

Ice Punch would only be useful against something I would outspeed, which would be like, Tangrowth, who is not 2HKOd and OHKOs back, and isn't used enough to warrent the use of Ice Punch over Avalanche, as I can usually deal double damage after recieveing damage in cases where I would be slower anyway.