Introduction: My general idea here was to make a Rain Dance team that didn’t shout “Rain Dance!” at my opponent the instant team preview comes up. Don’t get me wrong: Ludicolo, Gorebyss, Omastar, and Kabutops are great Pokemon, all extremely potent in the rain, but having them all on your team means your opponent can read you like a book, and I wanted to avoid that. Most of the Pokemon I chose get a boost from the rain, directly or indirectly, but can function as a team outside of it as well.
My team at a glance:
Bulky Rain Replenisher
Uxie @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Atk / 160 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rain Dance
- Zen Headbutt
- U-turn
- Thunder Wave
Set: I went with Zen Headbutt over Psychic so I could maximize this pixie’s (meagre) attack output. 96 Attack EVs lets it consistently break Raikou’s subs, which I was bizarrely paranoid over, and do a fair bit of damage to Celebi with U-turn, and the rest of the EVs went into bulk.
Comments: Uxie’s role on the team is pretty straightforward: stomach physical attacks, set up rain and/or cripple with paralysis, and U-turn out for momentum. Though it lacks any form of recovery, Uxie’s bulk is still impressive. Notably, it can survive a Megahorn from Scarfed Heracross, paralyze it, and do significant damage with Zen Headbutt. If the second Megahorn doesn’t connect (which has a high probability, due to its low accuracy, paralysis, and ZH’s flinch rate), it can 2HKO.
Changes: I considered choosing Cresselia over Uxie, since it has an identical typing/ability but superior bulk and a reliable recovery move (albeit one that’s hindered by the rain); in the end, U-turn and its ability to scout switches made the difference. I’ve also considered Heal Bell in place of Thunder Wave, which would help out my ChestoResting Kingdra, but paralysis is just so good; I had Light Screen as the fourth move, originally, but I never used it.
Speedy Rain Replenisher
Jolteon @ Damp Rock
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 76 HP / 252 SAtk / 180 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rain Dance
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power (Water)
Set: Another straightforward set, designed to outpace most of the tier and set up rain. The speed stat requires some explanation: 180 EVs and a Timid Nature lets Jolteon outspeed base 120s and below, letting me invest the rest into its bulk. There was nothing above that speed tier that I really needed to beat or tie: Weavile, the only 125, is never seen. Other 130s aren’t too important, either: Lead Aerodactyl have a focus sash, and would probably KO me with Earthquake; Crobat isn’t staying in on electric attacks; and other Jolteon are pretty much a stalemate anyway. I chose HP Water over Ice for pseudo-STAB in the rain and better coverage against Rhyperior (although he’s not around much, these days) and a few other Pokemon.
Comments: Volt Switch Jolteon makes a great scout, especially with Uxie around to nullify ground attacks and U-turn back to him. Jolteon’s claim to fame is his ability to switch into any of Froslass’s standard moves, outspeed her to change the weather, and barrage her with Thunder while avoiding her inaccurate Blizzards.
Changes: I’ve thought about running Shadow Ball to help me deal with ghosts a little better, but I’m pretty satisfied with this set.
Specially Defensive Wall
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 92 SDef / 160 Def
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Roar
Set: A standard moveset. Empoleon’s magnificent typing lets it be a special wall even while investing in physical defense! I run Ice Beam over Grass Knot to give me better coverage against Grass-types, who otherwise wall much of my team (but see below). In fact, I don’t think Grass Knot is very effective in this tier, since (uninvested) it can at best 3HKO other bulky waters, most of whom outspeed Empoleon or have recovery moves or both. Ice Beam is also, of course, useful against Dragons.
Comments: Empoleon’s main role on the team is to sponge ice and water attacks, set up Stealth Rocks, and phaze out any Suicune or Kingdra who think they can take advantage of my rain and set up. Uxie and Jolteon cover his weaknesses perfectly, giving me ample opportunities to turn the weather in my favour (and Empoleon, in turn, covers all of Uxie’s weaknesses as well).
Changes: Nothing! This Empoleon has been a mainstay on all my UU teams, and he’s perfect the way he is. <3<3<3
Physically Defensive Wall
Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
- Close Combat
- Foresight
Set: You might think it redundant of me to put both Foresight and Toxic on this set, but it works out very well. So many Ghosts run Substitute these days, and Toxic on the switch-in prohibits them from using it. Since Hitmontop is bulky enough not to feel immediately threatened afterwards, he can still use Foresight and spin away hazards.
Comments: My go-to switch-in for Heracross and other physical threats. That’s really all he does, besides spin. Spin, spin, spin.
Changes: Probably the most likely candidate for some changes. The most threatening Pokemon to my team right now are Stoutland, Bisharp, and Omastar, all of whom are checked by TechniTop. You’d think the answer would be easy, then! But a loss in bulk from my physical wall could open up new weaknesses, notably to Heracross. I want to create a hybrid Hitmontop set, with enough bulk to take a few hits but enough power to OHKO those threats with Mach Punch. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Choice Specs (Gr)Assassin
Roserade @ Choice Specs
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 HP / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
- Sleep Powder
Set: Garden-tender turned mage.
Comments: As I mentioned above, I was worried about bulky Waters and Grass-types taking advantage of my rain. Roserade makes sure that doesn’t happen. She has just the right mix of speed and power to take out key threats to my team:
Changes: Ferroseed (though rare) walls this set completely, as well as pure Steels outside of Rain, so I considered putting HP Fire in the last spot instead of Sleep Powder. It would also give me a slightly more effective attack against other Grass/Poison-types and better coverage overall. But Sleep Powder handles all these X factors and more, anyway, and if my opponent isn’t expecting me to switch right afterwards, throws the momentum in my favour.
Physical Sweeper
Kingdra @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 92 HP / 164 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Outrage
- Rest
- Dragon Dance
Set: Simple and effective. Enough speed to outpace base 100 Scarfers in the Rain (mainly Flygon, but I guess Victini too).
Comments: Kingdra love Chansey long time.
Changes: I used to use a mixed set, before realizing that I never touched Hydro Pump except by mistake (and each time it cost me the match). There isn’t much left to say here.
Conclusion: I’ve had a lot of fun with this team, and I was surprised by how balanced it ended up. There is one major weakness to cover—its lack of priority—but I’m working on it. Otherwise, it’s been an enjoyable struggle to maintain weather against the Hail and Sandstorm teams circulating the tier at the moment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
My team at a glance:
Bulky Rain Replenisher
Uxie @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Atk / 160 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rain Dance
- Zen Headbutt
- U-turn
- Thunder Wave
Set: I went with Zen Headbutt over Psychic so I could maximize this pixie’s (meagre) attack output. 96 Attack EVs lets it consistently break Raikou’s subs, which I was bizarrely paranoid over, and do a fair bit of damage to Celebi with U-turn, and the rest of the EVs went into bulk.
Comments: Uxie’s role on the team is pretty straightforward: stomach physical attacks, set up rain and/or cripple with paralysis, and U-turn out for momentum. Though it lacks any form of recovery, Uxie’s bulk is still impressive. Notably, it can survive a Megahorn from Scarfed Heracross, paralyze it, and do significant damage with Zen Headbutt. If the second Megahorn doesn’t connect (which has a high probability, due to its low accuracy, paralysis, and ZH’s flinch rate), it can 2HKO.
Changes: I considered choosing Cresselia over Uxie, since it has an identical typing/ability but superior bulk and a reliable recovery move (albeit one that’s hindered by the rain); in the end, U-turn and its ability to scout switches made the difference. I’ve also considered Heal Bell in place of Thunder Wave, which would help out my ChestoResting Kingdra, but paralysis is just so good; I had Light Screen as the fourth move, originally, but I never used it.
Speedy Rain Replenisher
Jolteon @ Damp Rock
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 76 HP / 252 SAtk / 180 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rain Dance
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power (Water)
Set: Another straightforward set, designed to outpace most of the tier and set up rain. The speed stat requires some explanation: 180 EVs and a Timid Nature lets Jolteon outspeed base 120s and below, letting me invest the rest into its bulk. There was nothing above that speed tier that I really needed to beat or tie: Weavile, the only 125, is never seen. Other 130s aren’t too important, either: Lead Aerodactyl have a focus sash, and would probably KO me with Earthquake; Crobat isn’t staying in on electric attacks; and other Jolteon are pretty much a stalemate anyway. I chose HP Water over Ice for pseudo-STAB in the rain and better coverage against Rhyperior (although he’s not around much, these days) and a few other Pokemon.
Comments: Volt Switch Jolteon makes a great scout, especially with Uxie around to nullify ground attacks and U-turn back to him. Jolteon’s claim to fame is his ability to switch into any of Froslass’s standard moves, outspeed her to change the weather, and barrage her with Thunder while avoiding her inaccurate Blizzards.
Changes: I’ve thought about running Shadow Ball to help me deal with ghosts a little better, but I’m pretty satisfied with this set.
Specially Defensive Wall
Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 92 SDef / 160 Def
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Roar
Set: A standard moveset. Empoleon’s magnificent typing lets it be a special wall even while investing in physical defense! I run Ice Beam over Grass Knot to give me better coverage against Grass-types, who otherwise wall much of my team (but see below). In fact, I don’t think Grass Knot is very effective in this tier, since (uninvested) it can at best 3HKO other bulky waters, most of whom outspeed Empoleon or have recovery moves or both. Ice Beam is also, of course, useful against Dragons.
Comments: Empoleon’s main role on the team is to sponge ice and water attacks, set up Stealth Rocks, and phaze out any Suicune or Kingdra who think they can take advantage of my rain and set up. Uxie and Jolteon cover his weaknesses perfectly, giving me ample opportunities to turn the weather in my favour (and Empoleon, in turn, covers all of Uxie’s weaknesses as well).
Changes: Nothing! This Empoleon has been a mainstay on all my UU teams, and he’s perfect the way he is. <3<3<3
Physically Defensive Wall
Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
- Close Combat
- Foresight
Set: You might think it redundant of me to put both Foresight and Toxic on this set, but it works out very well. So many Ghosts run Substitute these days, and Toxic on the switch-in prohibits them from using it. Since Hitmontop is bulky enough not to feel immediately threatened afterwards, he can still use Foresight and spin away hazards.
Comments: My go-to switch-in for Heracross and other physical threats. That’s really all he does, besides spin. Spin, spin, spin.
Changes: Probably the most likely candidate for some changes. The most threatening Pokemon to my team right now are Stoutland, Bisharp, and Omastar, all of whom are checked by TechniTop. You’d think the answer would be easy, then! But a loss in bulk from my physical wall could open up new weaknesses, notably to Heracross. I want to create a hybrid Hitmontop set, with enough bulk to take a few hits but enough power to OHKO those threats with Mach Punch. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Choice Specs (Gr)Assassin
Roserade @ Choice Specs
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 HP / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
- Sleep Powder
Set: Garden-tender turned mage.
Comments: As I mentioned above, I was worried about bulky Waters and Grass-types taking advantage of my rain. Roserade makes sure that doesn’t happen. She has just the right mix of speed and power to take out key threats to my team:
- Nidoking: outsped and OHKOd with Leaf Storm, even without Specs, which is just terrific;
- Celebi: outsped (since most don’t invest in speed) and OHKOd with Sludge Bomb;
- Roserade: usually outsped and always the loser of this mirror match;
- Nidoqueen: outsped and OHKOd by Weather Ball in Hail;
- Arcanine: bulkiest varieties outsped and OHKOd by Weather Ball in Rain (this has never once happened—I just think it’s an interesting fact);
- Abomasnow: all but the very bulkiest of SubSeed sets are a guaranteed OHKO by Sludge Bomb, and they normally stay in against her to attack with Ice Shards (which she always survives) or use Blizzard (but they never survive); ScarfSnow is a risk, but it’s an inferior option that gets worn to death by Stealth Rocks, so keeping Roserade in against Abomasnow is usually worth it, one way or another.
Changes: Ferroseed (though rare) walls this set completely, as well as pure Steels outside of Rain, so I considered putting HP Fire in the last spot instead of Sleep Powder. It would also give me a slightly more effective attack against other Grass/Poison-types and better coverage overall. But Sleep Powder handles all these X factors and more, anyway, and if my opponent isn’t expecting me to switch right afterwards, throws the momentum in my favour.
Physical Sweeper
Kingdra @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 92 HP / 164 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Outrage
- Rest
- Dragon Dance
Set: Simple and effective. Enough speed to outpace base 100 Scarfers in the Rain (mainly Flygon, but I guess Victini too).
Comments: Kingdra love Chansey long time.
Changes: I used to use a mixed set, before realizing that I never touched Hydro Pump except by mistake (and each time it cost me the match). There isn’t much left to say here.
Conclusion: I’ve had a lot of fun with this team, and I was surprised by how balanced it ended up. There is one major weakness to cover—its lack of priority—but I’m working on it. Otherwise, it’s been an enjoyable struggle to maintain weather against the Hail and Sandstorm teams circulating the tier at the moment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
