Rain Dance Sweep! [Re-RMT]

[yamazaru]

OVERVIEW​

THE PLAYERS​

Jirachi - The Initial Rain Dancer

Nature: Sassy
EV: HP 252, Defense 86, Spc. Defense 172
Ability: Serene Grace
Item: Damp Rock

- Rain Dance
Starts off the early/mid game sweep, normally done a turn before U-Turn.
- Thunder
Used to get a paralyze with 100% chance of hit and 60% chance of
paralyze
- U-Turn
Switch out to get in my sweeper, normally Kingdra
- Stealth Rock
Gets that residual damage that my team needs to kill.

PLAN

Hopefully, he'll come in and at least get a Rain Dance going. Normally though thats not the case. I have to switch him out to something beefier, like Bronzong. Also, abuses Thunder on other Rain Dancers. Set up Stealth Rocks ASAP.

Kingdra - Early/Mid Game Sweep

Nature: Naughty
EV: HP 180, Spc. Attack 252, Speed 76
Ability: Swift Swim
Item: Life Orb

- Dragon Pulse
Hits those Dragons that resists my other moves
- Rain Dance
Starts off another Rain Dance just in case the last stops
- Signal Beam
Super effective against Celebi
- Surf
Standard high, STAB sweeping attack

PLAN

Sent in after a Rain Dance is up. Normally, I just keep him in until he dies. Is that bad? Also, should I switch the EV's to make him just faster then Salamence or keep them at max to beat out other Kingdra?


Ludicolo - The Late Game Sweeper

Nature: Modest
EV: Defense 6, Spc. Attack 252, Speed 252
Ability: Swift Swim
Item: Life Orb

- Grass Knot
High damage, STAB move use to hit hard, except against Vaporeon
- Ice Beam
Kills off those pesky Dragons
- Rain Dance
Starts off the rain if it falls
- Surf
High damage, STAB used to hit all other things

PLAN

He comes in when Kingdra has taken care of most of the threats. Send him in near the end of the game to clean up. Should I keep his EVs the same or change them to something like Kingdra?


Bronzong - Beefy, Mid Game Rain Dancer

Nature: Impish
EV: HP 252, Attack 128, Defense 128
Ability: Levitate
Item: Damp Rock

- Explosion
Blow up after setting up everything
- Rain Dance
Ideally, set up the Rain after Kingdra sweeps some stuff
- Reflect
Used to increase Defense as it seems most of the threats are Attack oriented
- Light Screen
Increase the Special Defense, suggested by Legacy Raider

PLAN

My beefy tank/mid game Rain Dancer. He comes in either on a switch from Jirachi or after Kingdra has sweep-ed his fill. Sets up his screens, blows up and then sends in Ludicolo to finish off or Qwilfish to set-up and then sweep.


Dugtrio - The Revenge Killer

Nature: Adamant
EV: Defense 40, Speed 216, Attack 252
Ability: Arena Trap
Item: Life Orb

- Aerial Ace
More or less, filler.
- Earthquake
Stab move to revenge kill the annoying threats like Tyranitar, Blissey, etc.
- Sucker Punch
Kill those Gengar and Latias that seem to popping up everywhere
- Stone Edge
Kill those birds that think they can stay in

PLAN

My newest member. The revenge killer of all revenge killers. Takes out the auto-weather inducers. And Blissey. Because, by the time they send out Blissey, my Kingdra is dead and the only physical attacker I have is Qwilfish.


Qwilfish - Minor Sweep and Toxic Removal

Nature: Timid
EV: HP 6, Attack 252, Speed 252
Ability: Swift Speed
Item: Life Orb

- Explosion
Blow up the threat that Bronzong didn't blow up
- Poison Jab
STAB, physical attack to use while waiting to blow up
- Swords Dance
Boosts attack to give me a physical sweeper, a mixed sweeper and a special sweeper
- Waterfall
STAB, physical attack to use against Steels

PLAN

My only physical sweeper. Comes in, Swords Dances on the switch to a counter. And then proceeds to sweep until he can Explode on something, hopefully a threat.


Miscellaneous

If a mod sees this, can they delete my other thread? Thanks in advance!
Thanks to Legacy Raider for looking at my team!

 

[adman2]

Why is your Qwilfish Timid? I think you want Jolly.

Also, Dugtrio needs all the Speed it can get, and dies in one hit anyway. Consider changing either your item to a Choice Scarf, or a Choice Band with Jolly Nature.

You might want to consider Draco Meteor on Kingdra to deal with the tougher Dragons.

 

[Legacy Raider]

Hey there. Pretty standard fare rain team you have here, but there are a couple of movesets and EVs I think can be touched up a bit.

On a rain team, you should really be aiming to get your SR up as quickly as possible. Sweepers need the maximum amount of residual damage on the opponent when they have to take them on, and Bronzong simply won't be able to come in early enough to set up SR for your team. I suggest you drop U-turn from Jirachi and instead go for Stealth Rock on him. U-turn is really of most use on a slow pokemon, and although things like Azelf and Jirachi are okay users of it, they will still go before the majority of opponents and will make your sweeper take a hit on entry anyway. Getting an early SR in is extremely important to win matches, and with its bulk, Jirachi will almost guarantee the rocks go up quickly. If you're uncomfortable dropping U-turn, then drop Water Pulse instead. The rain boost and confusion is really of little use - you won't be wanting to waste time with your Jirachi's weak water attacks when you have 3 water sweepers waiting in the wings. U-turn still has some use on Jirachi for scouting purposes and to break sashes, so I personally would recommend dropping Water Pulse.

Your Kingdra's moveset is a bit strange. You talk about Dragon Dance in the comments, yet you don't have it in the moveset, and you have Waterfall as a primary water STAB even though you have no attack investment. Since you are running a Dugtrio, I would honestly recommend you just go for all out special Kingdra with a Modest nature and Surf / Dragon Pulse / Signal Beam / Rain Dance. It is unequivocally the deadliest rain sweeper, and with accurate and reliable attacks it doesn't have the inconsistency factor that MixDra brings. Really, if you're running Duggy, then you shouldn't restrict yourself by trying to split Kingdra's offenses. Just make the most of its power and use it like you currently are - just keep attacking with it until it dies, weakening the opponent's team and paving the way for a Ludicolo sweep later on in the game. I would also suggest dropping its speed a bit and adding some bulk. Kingdra is surprisingly very durable with a bit of HP investment, as it is all that's really needed to abuse its 95/95 defenses. I would drop the speed down to 225 to outrun +1 neutral base 100s in the rain, and therefore change the EV spread to 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe.

With SR on Jirachi, you can run either Light Screen or Hypnosis in Bronzong's new moveslot. Light Screen is the more reliable choice, affording you protection from attacks on both spectrums and letting you set up with Qwilfish more often. Hypnosis is more of a desperation move to take out some surprise threat, but since you already have Explosion on Bronzong to get it out the way and take out threats, I would recommend against Hypnosis.

Dugtrio usually runs those 40 spare EVs in Defense instead of HP, as they give it the maximum chance of surviving Lucario's Extremespeed. Also, since you are running Adamant (this is good for killing Blissey, stick with it), you will be outsped by Timid Gengar and Latias, and so Sucker Punch would be of more use over Night Slash to get the preemptive hit on them.

Qwilfish has a rather mediocre base 95 attack stat, and so even in the rain, it won't be winning any awards for hitting hard. Swift Swim speeds you up so you really have no need for a +speed nature, and so go with Adamant instead. Qwilfish needs every ounce of power it can get, especially as it is generally the stallbreaker on rain teams. I would also suggest running a bit more bulk on Qwilfish to help it get a Swords Dance in easier. Go with the same kind of spread as on Kingdra - 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe - to outrun +1 Adamant Salamence and scarf Flygon. The HP EVs really help Qwilfish set up, as otherwise it is extremely frail, even behind screens.

All the best for your team.

 

[yamazaru]

Bump.

 

[Lightsabre]

umm. some of your descriptions are a little wierd, such as your kingdra talking about DD but no DD on the set. I would suggest running this set with your Kingdra

MovesetEVs~ Rain Dance
~ Waterfall
~ Hydro Pump / Surf
~ Draco Meteor
252 Atk / 240 SpA / 16 Spe
This set is arguably Kingdra's most destructive set, capable of smashing through even the games most defensive Pokemon. It plays much like the Dragon Dancer; bring Kingdra in on a Pokemon that it can force out like Heatran, Rain Dance on the switch, and start sweeping. Waterfall is your primary STAB, and with the a rain boost it hits with the same power as a Dragon Danced Waterfall. Hydro Pump is the real selling point of the set, as it significantly outdamages Waterfall and demolishes the physically based OU metagame. Surf can be used as well, but it doesn't pack the sting that Hydro Pump does. Draco Meteor rounds out the set by allowing Kingdra to deliver a powerful hit to Grass and opposing Water Pokemon that resist your Water STAB.
The EVs generate enough Speed to outrun Modest Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and Timid Choice Scarf Heatran in the rain. Additional Speed can be used to beat specific Scarfed threats, but Salamence and Flygon are the only faster Scarfers capable of revenge killing a Kingdra in good health.
As always, this Kingdra benefits from rain support from its teammates allowing it to get an additional hit on its switch-ins. However, it is perfectly capable of operating on its own.
To illustrate the efficiency of Mixed Kingdra, a few damage calculations have been listed below
Damage Calculations

Waterfall vs. Max HP Bronzong: 54-64%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP / 98 SpD: Bronzong 72-85%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Celebi: 38-45%
Draco Meteor vs. Max HP Celebi: 59-69%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP / Max SpD + Forretress: 85-100%
Draco Meteor vs. 216 HP Gyarados: 62-73%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Jirachi: 76-89%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Metagross: 91-100%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Skarmory: 100%
Waterfall vs. 160 HP / 136 Def Snorlax: 60-71%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Suicune: 34-39%
Draco Meteor vs. Max HP Suicune: 52-62%
Hydro Pump vs. 240 HP Swampert: 82-98%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Scizor: 100%

I've also heard that after the surf in the rain, you KO blissey with waterfall in the rain

 

[Zepar]

OVERVIEW​

THE PLAYERS​

Jirachi - The Initial Rain Dancer

Nature: Sassy
EV: HP 252, Defense 86, Spc. Defense 172
Ability: Serene Grace
Item: Damp Rock

- Rain Dance
Starts off the early/mid game sweep, normally done a turn before U-Turn.
- Thunder
Used to get a paralyze with 100% chance of hit and 60% chance of
paralyze
- U-Turn
Switch out to get in my sweeper, normally Kingdra
- Stealth Rock
Gets that residual damage that my team needs to kill.

PLAN

Hopefully, he'll come in and at least get a Rain Dance going. Normally though thats not the case. I have to switch him out to something beefier, like Bronzong. Also, abuses Thunder on other Rain Dancers. Set up Stealth Rocks ASAP.

Kingdra - Early/Mid Game Sweep

Nature: Modest
EV: HP 180, Spc. Attack 252, Speed 76
Ability: Swift Swim
Item: Life Orb

- Dragon Pulse
Hits those Dragons that resists my other moves
- Rain Dance
Starts off another Rain Dance just in case the last stops
- Signal Beam
Super effective against Celebi
- Surf
Standard high, STAB sweeping attack

PLAN

Sent in after a Rain Dance is up. Normally, I just keep him in until he dies. Is that bad? Also, should I switch the EV's to make him just faster then Salamence or keep them at max to beat out other Kingdra?


Ludicolo - The Late Game Sweeper

Nature: Modest
EV: Defense 6, Spc. Attack 252, Speed 252
Ability: Swift Swim
Item: Life Orb

- Grass Knot
High damage, STAB move use to hit hard, except against Vaporeon
- Ice Beam
Kills off those pesky Dragons
- Rain Dance
Starts off the rain if it falls
- Surf
High damage, STAB used to hit all other things

PLAN

He comes in when Kingdra has taken care of most of the threats. Send him in near the end of the game to clean up. Should I keep his EVs the same or change them to something like Kingdra?


Bronzong - Beefy, Mid Game Rain Dancer

Nature: Impish
EV: HP 252, Attack 128, Defense 128
Ability: Levitate
Item: Damp Rock

- Explosion
Blow up after setting up everything
- Rain Dance
Ideally, set up the Rain after Kingdra sweeps some stuff
- Reflect
Used to increase Defense as it seems most of the threats are Attack oriented
- Light Screen
Increase the Special Defense, suggested by Legacy Raider

PLAN

My beefy tank/mid game Rain Dancer. He comes in either on a switch from Jirachi or after Kingdra has sweep-ed his fill. Sets up his screens, blows up and then sends in Ludicolo to finish off or Qwilfish to set-up and then sweep.


Dugtrio - The Revenge Killer

Nature: Adamant
EV: Defense 40, Speed 216, Attack 252
Ability: Arena Trap
Item: Life Orb

- Aerial Ace
More or less, filler.
- Earthquake
Stab move to revenge kill the annoying threats like Tyranitar, Blissey, etc.
- Sucker Punch
Kill those Gengar and Latias that seem to popping up everywhere
- Stone Edge
Kill those birds that think they can stay in

PLAN

My newest member. The revenge killer of all revenge killers. Takes out the auto-weather inducers. And Blissey. Because, by the time they send out Blissey, my Kingdra is dead and the only physical attacker I have is Qwilfish.


Qwilfish - Minor Sweep and Toxic Removal

Nature: Jolly
EV: HP 6, Attack 252, Speed 252
Ability: Swift Speed
Item: Life Orb

- Explosion
Blow up the threat that Bronzong didn't blow up
- Poison Jab
STAB, physical attack to use while waiting to blow up
- Swords Dance
Boosts attack to give me a physical sweeper, a mixed sweeper and a special sweeper
- Waterfall
STAB, physical attack to use against Steels

PLAN

My only physical sweeper. Comes in, Swords Dances on the switch to a counter. And then proceeds to sweep until he can Explode on something, hopefully a threat.

You might want to go with a Vaporeon as stealth rocks, life orb, and spikes can hurt this team. Dugtrio cant do much for a rain dance team as Qwilfish can kill Blissey.

 

[yamazaru]

So basically, get rid of my Electric resist for a person weak against Electric. Now I know Vaporeon could probably survive one or two Thunderbolts, but I like having my Dugtrio.

 

[Zepar]

Qwilfish and Vaporeon would be the only ones weak to it. Jirachi can survive unboosted electric attacks and you need the natures I gave.

 

[blasphemy1]

Dugtrio is absolutely vital for pretty much any rain team. Sure, Qwilfish can kill Blissey, but you need a SD, and what if she paralyzes you? Another reason to keep Dugtrio is the fact that it can take out Tyranitar rather easily, who destroys rain teams if kept alive. Definitely keep Dugtrio for all of your Blissey / TTar killing needs.

Modest > Naughty on Kingdra. Not sure if you just forgot to edit that but lowering a defense is pointless when you are going pure special.

Adamant or Jolly > Timid on Qwilfish. Timid lowers attack, and Adamant provides the needed power to break walls like Hippowdon if they decide to ruin your rain.

Other than that, pretty good, standard rain team.

 

[Zepar]

I meant dugtrio as an example. IMO you really need a vaporeon with wish.

 

[locopoke]

It's a pretty standard Rain Dance team, just a few things that I'd suggest. First of all why is Kingdra Naughty? Change that to modest, also I'd use Kingdra a bit differently:

Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Modest nature
EVs: 252 SAtk/252 Spd/6 Hp
Moveset:
-Rain Dance
-Surf
-Hidden power [electric]
-Ice Beam

I've been using that moveset for ages and it's worked very well for me. Good luck with your team.