Rime of the Ancient Sea Mariner (mono-Rain Dance Team)

Excellence

Just something to note about me, when I play a monotype team, I go 6-0 because it is more fun for me that way. I enjoy the challenge but I am appreciate of any criticisms and advise that you may have for me. Below are my pokemon in no particular order except for the lead. I give a brief description on any move-set that is not overly obvious and I do not always use set EVs. I'll use whatever I need and works best for my team. That'll usually also be included in the description.

tentacruel.png

Tentacruel (Irukandji)
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 Hp / 180 Def / 76 SpA
Item: Choice Scarf
Moveset: Toxic Spikes, Rapid Spin, Sludge Bomb, Hydro Pump​

Changes: Hidden Power (Dark) -> Rapid Spin​

I know that a lot of people probably will not like it, but I run my Tentacruel with Choice Scarf. The reason being that the most common lead pokemon that give it trouble: Aerodactyl, certain Infernape, and Azelf can be problematic because they're faster. Two of the three hit Tentacruel with physical moves so that's where I am investing its defensive EVs. If Azelf comes out, I can take the chance of hitting it with Hidden Power Dark, switching out, or doing whatever. Aerodactyl and Infernape will fall to Hydro Pump without Focus Sash and will switch out after they question why I am faster. If a lead comes out that I can handle, I'll use Toxic Spikes and try to set my team up. The majority of my team either abuses recovery moves or heavy hitting moves that would usually leave someone barely alive but in my case Toxic Spikes would make them useless or revenge kill-able with Azumarill.​

azumarill.png

Azumarill (Neptune)
Ability: Huge Power
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 240 Hp / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Item: Choice Band
Moveset: Aqua Jet, Ice Punch, Superpower, Double Edge​

Neptune's job is to pick things off with Aqua Jet, hopefully after Rain Dance and Toxic Spikes. It functions as a late game sweeper and an early game revenge killer. I opted out of Waterfall for more coverage because with Rain Dance Aqua Jet should do more than enough damage to wreck any frail pokemon and most healthy pokemon.​

kingdra.png

Kingdra (Poseidon)
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Naughty
EVs: 252 Atk / 240 SpA / 16 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Moveset: Rain Dance, Draco Meteor, Waterfall, Hydro Pump​

Poseidon is usually the turn around pokemon if this team is losing. It can smash walls and kill any special sweet that comes into play. His EVs are pretty obvious and with Life Orb you can imagine the damage. I have given him Rain Dance in case it is not already in effect or about to run out. With Toxic Spikes things really get interesting because most pokemon that can manage to survive two hits usually do so with 11% or less. Toxic Spikes functions to get rid of these pokemon.​

suicune.png

Suicune (Boreas)
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Item: Leftovers
Moveset: Rest, Calm Mind, Surf, Hidden Power (Electric)​

Changes: Roar -> Hidden Power Electric​

Boreas is a pokemon that I had a lot of positive experiences with. I think that the moveset and EVs are all the most common so I do not need to explain too much except for having Roar and not another attacking move. Basically, I'm seeing Boreas stalling most pokemon out with Rest and Calm Mind then tearing them apart using Surf. Roar is there to shuffle things for Toxic Spikes, screw with stat ups, or knock away bad match-ups. I have been considering replacing Roar with Hidden Power (Ground or Fighting), Ice Beam, or Toxic but I am not too sure; perhaps someone could convince me into one of them. Hidden Power Fighting was considered for Tyranitar who can be a pain.​

milotic.png

Milotic (Siren)
Ability: Marvel Scale
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Item: Leftovers
Moveset: Recover, Rain Dance, Surf, Ice Beam​

Siren is one of my sturdier Rain Dancers. Rain Dance then switch off into something dangerous or stay in and take some abuse. Siren packs Hidden Power (Fire) for Steel pokemon that can be troublesome such as Bronzong, Lucario, and Magnizone. It also allows me to pick off pokemon like Celebi who are bulky yet beastly.​

Changes: Hidden Power (Fire) -> Ice Beam​

starmie.png

Starmie (Trident)
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Moveset: Hydro Pump, Thunder, Ice Beam, Recover​

Change: Expert Belt -> Life Orb
Change: Thunder Bolt -> Thunder​

Trident is my last pokemon and primarily here for type coverage and Expert Belt abuse. It does a good job of cleaning up troublesome pokemon and helping me prepare for lategame.​
 
Just a comment, but Hidden Power Fire isn't needed at all. STAB Water attacks in the rain do more than enough to the prominent Steel types in OU. If anything, HP Electric or Ice Beam might help more on Milotic to help deal with a Gyarados that may abuse the rain.
 
I'm not any kind of registered team rater or any sort of a pro, but I wanted to ask if you had a reason for omitting Rapid Spin from both pokemon that can learn it. Awesome team though. =) I love the idea of mono-type.
 
Diarago said:
Just a comment, but Hidden Power Fire isn't needed at all. STAB Water attacks in the rain do more than enough to the prominent Steel types in OU. If anything, HP Electric or Ice Beam might help more on Milotic to help deal with a Gyarados that may abuse the rain.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. I actually made the switch from Hidden Power Fire to Ice Beam. Ice Beams has a higher base power and provides more coverage than Hidden Power Fire. ;D

Drake Tseng said:
I'm not any kind of registered team rater or any sort of a pro, but I wanted to ask if you had a reason for omitting Rapid Spin from both pokemon that can learn it. Awesome team though. =) I love the idea of mono-type.
Click to expand...

I knew that if I was going to use Rapid Spin, it would have to be on Tentacruel because I need the coverage with Starmie and running only two attacks with Expert Belt wouldn't be the best idea unless I just went with Bolt-Beam but I don't really like that a whole lot. Hydro Pump + Rain Dance generally does more damage. If I put Rapid Spin on Tentacruel he would be stuck in it and would go faster than the opponent so they would just switch out and keep setting up. The result would be a series of swaps that result in me taking a lot of damage.

I love mono-type teams. I think that they're really awesome and the main reason I got into Pokemon when I was younger was because I thought Gym Leaders and Elite Four members were the coolest part of the show. They were always super powerful and used only one type. :D
 
It's late where I am, I might come back later, but a quick note is that Hidden Power Dark is almost completely useless on Tentacruel. Hydro Pump does more damage even when the HP is super effective. The only situation I can think of that would make it worth it is with Slowbro, and even then you'd be better off with something like HP Electric or simply hitting him with Sludge Bomb.
 
Pollux-Castor said:
It's late where I am, I might come back later, but a quick note is that Hidden Power Dark is almost completely useless on Tentacruel. Hydro Pump does more damage even when the HP is super effective. The only situation I can think of that would make it worth it is with Slowbro, and even then you'd be better off with something like HP Electric or simply hitting him with Sludge Bomb.
Click to expand...

Hidden Power Dark is only for Azelf. I won't take the chance of missing the first time and getting blasted with Psychic. The Azelf will still have the Sash and I'll have to hit it twice to kill it. That means they'll get a KO, Stealth Rock, and Explosion. Too much. I'd rather ensure that I at least break the sash then revenge kill if I have to.
 
this team Needs more swampert Swampert will provide you with an electric immunity that you need to stop spces jolt ripping this team apart and if it has hp grass it will stilll mkae a mess of your team and also provides you with Stealth rock which your team is lacking atm possibly switching milo out for pert. Another small change id make is switch expert belt on starmie as your running recover to neigate the recoil and the extra damage it will give you will useful


Starmie using hydropump Vs Scizor
Without LO 57.1% - 67.6%
With LO 74.3% - 87.8%

Its a huge difference so if you do any previous damage to him or even after SR hit him a couple of times which you will have with swampert your are more likely to KO it
 
Excellence said:
Hidden Power Dark is only for Azelf. I won't take the chance of missing the first time and getting blasted with Psychic. The Azelf will still have the Sash and I'll have to hit it twice to kill it. That means they'll get a KO, Stealth Rock, and Explosion. Too much. I'd rather ensure that I at least break the sash then revenge kill if I have to.
Click to expand...

Oy. HP Dark is still not worth the slot just for Azelf because Sludge Bomb should 2hko as well.

Darkvirus is also smart to recommend fitting Swampert in there somewhere to stop the weakness to Electric. Depending on the situation Choice Specs Jolteon could come in and click Thunderbolt a few times to end the game.

I also think you should try the Double Dancing Kingdra instead of the Pure Rain Dancer. Scarf Tyranitar will come in to switch the weather and possibly KO you with his Stone Edge, especially since Kingdra is prone to all types of residual damage and you refuse to use a Spinner. When he switches in to stop your weather sweep you will retain the upper hand if you use Dragon Dance instead.

There is also no real counter to Gyarados here. He is immune to Toxic Spikes so Roaring him out will only remove the boost after he strikes you with a Dragon Dance boosted Earthquake or Stone Edge. That hit forces Suicune to consider Resting making her set up bait. Offensive Gyarados should outspeed Starmie after Dragon Dance and with a little bit of residual damage he will Ohko at +1. You need to consider Hidden Power Electric on either Suicune or Milotic, or find a better lead (Like Swampert!) to set up Stealth Rock.
 
Darkvirus said:
this team Needs more swampert Swampert will provide you with an electric immunity that you need to stop spces jolt ripping this team apart and if it has hp grass it will stilll mkae a mess of your team and also provides you with Stealth rock which your team is lacking atm possibly switching milo out for pert. Another small change id make is switch expert belt on starmie as your running recover to neigate the recoil and the extra damage it will give you will useful


Starmie using hydropump Vs Scizor
Without LO 57.1% - 67.6%
With LO 74.3% - 87.8%

Its a huge difference so if you do any previous damage to him or even after SR hit him a couple of times which you will have with swampert your are more likely to KO it
Click to expand...

Any suggestions for how to put in Swampert?

tang said:
nice looking team, just wanted to say your azumarills ev's are impossible
Click to expand...

That's definitely a typ-o. I was thinking Atk but I read Spe so I put the wrong thing. xD

Pollux-Castor said:
Oy. HP Dark is still not worth the slot just for Azelf because Sludge Bomb should 2hko as well.

Darkvirus is also smart to recommend fitting Swampert in there somewhere to stop the weakness to Electric. Depending on the situation Choice Specs Jolteon could come in and click Thunderbolt a few times to end the game.

I also think you should try the Double Dancing Kingdra instead of the Pure Rain Dancer. Scarf Tyranitar will come in to switch the weather and possibly KO you with his Stone Edge, especially since Kingdra is prone to all types of residual damage and you refuse to use a Spinner. When he switches in to stop your weather sweep you will retain the upper hand if you use Dragon Dance instead.

There is also no real counter to Gyarados here. He is immune to Toxic Spikes so Roaring him out will only remove the boost after he strikes you with a Dragon Dance boosted Earthquake or Stone Edge. That hit forces Suicune to consider Resting making her set up bait. Offensive Gyarados should outspeed Starmie after Dragon Dance and with a little bit of residual damage he will Ohko at +1. You need to consider Hidden Power Electric on either Suicune or Milotic, or find a better lead (Like Swampert!) to set up Stealth Rock.
Click to expand...

If you have a way I can fit Swampert into this team then I'll raise a Mudkip and put it in so I'm all ears.

Tyranitar isn't as much a problem as you would think. If he's scarfed then he better be using Stone Edge which means if he doesn't 1 hit whatever I kill then he gets revenged by Azumarill. The whether change isn't that big a deal either, I'll just Rain Dance again when it doesn't seem super predictable. Swampert would help here too, huh? 0_o

I gave Suicune Hidden Power (Electric) although I may just put it on Milotic after toying around with it for a little.
 
I am still looking for a bit more help with this team before it finally create it. Can anyone help me find where to place Swampert?
 
One thing I noticed, and I don't know how much of a problem it is, is that you only have Rain Dance on two Pokémon, and neither of them is carrying Damp Rock; so you're actually not all that likely to have rain up for that long. You're also not running Thunder on anything to take advantage of the possible rain; you could give it to Starmie over Thunderbolt, for example, but then you'd need to be confdent of having rain up.
 
Ludicolo is a must have in raindance teams. perhaps try this Ludicolo over Milotic.
Ludicolo
Swift Swim
Leftovers
Modest
Surf
Grass Knot
Ice Beam
Raindance
This set gives you better type coverage, as you can always grass knot enemy water types that cause you trouble. also, if you wanted to keep Milotic, you could replace the rain dance with focus punch, and use Ludicolo over Azumarill instead.
 
Showsni said:
One thing I noticed, and I don't know how much of a problem it is, is that you only have Rain Dance on two Pokémon, and neither of them is carrying Damp Rock; so you're actually not all that likely to have rain up for that long. You're also not running Thunder on anything to take advantage of the possible rain; you could give it to Starmie over Thunderbolt, for example, but then you'd need to be confdent of having rain up.
Click to expand...

Thunder would definitely be a nice add to Starmie. With the additional power coming from Life Orb, the higher base, and the Toxic Spikes I think that it would do a lot to even things that resist it. I'm going to make the switch.

grayfyre said:
Ludicolo is a must have in raindance teams. perhaps try this Ludicolo over Milotic.
Ludicolo
Swift Swim
Leftovers
Modest
Surf
Grass Knot
Ice Beam
Raindance

This set gives you better type coverage, as you can always grass knot enemy water types that cause you trouble. also, if you wanted to keep Milotic, you could replace the rain dance with focus punch, and use Ludicolo over Azumarill instead.
Click to expand...

I've considered a third Rain Dance for utility because things may just try to set up on Milotic while she Rain Dances but I'm not too sure. Ludicolo definitely wouldn't be something that I'd add though. All I'm getting is Grass Knot for bulky things and a decent option against Gyarados. I need Azumarill for it's powerful Aqua Jet so I cannot remove that and the special defense on Milotic makes that a must as well.

I really want to find a way to add in Swampert. Can you figure out a way for me to put him in? Scarf Jolteon, though not super common, is a huge threat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top