"Save your pennies for a Rainy Day": Rain Dance Team

DragonPawnch

RMT:"Save your pennies for a Rainy Day": Rain Dance Team

Introduction: Well, this is my first attempt at a Rain Dance Team, so far it has been not only winning battles but it is really fun to use aswell. It is quite a shabby attempt but has worked untill I started losing multiple battles in a row. (Curse you Azumaril). Anyway, heres the team. (This team is meant for Wi-Fi).
Changes: Are in Italic

At a glance:
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ludicolo-f.png
kabutops.png
Jolteon.png
kingdra.png


Details:
azelf.png


Azelf @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EV's: 252 HP/ 252 Spd/ 4 Atk
Jolly nature (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
- Rain Dance
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock/ U-turn
- Taunt
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Description: Well, Azelf is now my Lead, this time my Lead can set up 8 Turns of Rain, Taunt and Explode! If it has time left, it can even set up Stealth Rock. Electrode was replaced here, I think it was for the best. I think Azelf is a perfect way to start my Rain Dance Team, wrecking my opponent.
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bronzong.png

Bronzong @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EV's: 252 HP/ 128 Atk/ 128 Def
Impish nature (+Def, -Sp.Atk)
- Rain Dance
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
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Description: Bronzong plays an important role on my team. He is my main Rain Dancer and with Damp Rock it ensures me 8 turns of sweet Rain. Stealth Rock is also important as it makes Salamence and friends think twice before switching in. Hypnosis is also great as it can cripple the offending Pokemon and open up an oportunity for me to set-up with Kabutops. 128 Attack EV's allows for a very powerful Explosion which is my last gasp for taking down those pesky Gyarados or Salamence attempting to set-up. I would like to keep Bronzong for the abilty to switch on Ground attacks, maybe I should opt for a different lead
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ludicolo.png

Ludicolo@ Life Orb
Abilty: Swift Swim
EV's: 252 Sp.Atk/ 252 Spd/ 6 HP
Modest nature (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power (Electric)
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Description: The last of the Rain Dancers, Ludicolo! Other than just being awesome, he provides much needed Specialy Deffensive Support. Other than that Ludicolo uses Swift Swim well, his overall bulk with 204 HP EV's and 124 Sp.Def EV's make him a good switch in to Bulky Waters thus' I chose Grass Knot over Surf. The set is desined to out speed +1 Dragon Dance Salamence in Rain and OHKO with Ice Beam. and of course he has plenty of opertunitys to set even more Rain Dance. I used to use a Life Orb variant, but it died way too easily and it failed to OHKO Azumaril with Grass Knot and it died to a Choice Band Return. I can now ensure a 2HKO with Grass Knot, but I may try the "Stall" version
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kabutops.png

Kabutops @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EV's: 72 HP/ 252 Atk/ 184
Adamant nature (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
- Swords Dance
- Waterfall
- Rock Slide
- Aqua Jet
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Description: My set-up Phisical sweeper, Kabutops is deadly once it gets in a Swords Dance, along with Swift Swim and Aqua Jet boosted by Rain, Swords Dance, STAB and Life Orb, Kabutops becomes very deadly. Aqua Tail is used over Waterfall for more Power, Stone Edge for more STAB and Aqua Jet for Priority. Coupled with Hypnosis support getting in a Swords Dance becomes easier. Since I needed a Phisical Sweeper Kabutops works nicely here, Quilfish or Floatzel just don't do it for me.
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jolteon.png



Jolteon @ Petya Berry
Ability: Volt Absorb
EV's: 4 HP/ 252 Spd/ 252 Sp.Atk
Timid nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Substitute
- Charge Beam
- Rain Dance
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Description: Jolteon is kind of the "glue" of my team. I needed something to absorb all the Electric attacks aimed as my Sweepers, but I wanted something that could benifit my whole team. The choice came down to Electivire or Jolteon. Since I didn't want another sweeper I went with Jolteon so it can come in on Electric attacks and set-up a Substitute on the Switch and Batton Pass it to either Kabutops or Kingdra. Along with Substitute I use Petya Berry allowing Jolteon to Sub down untill it gots a Boost and deliver some shocking results with a 100% accuarcy Thunder. Since I got rid of Life Orb Ludicolo I needed something to hit hard on the Special Side of the spectrum, Jolteon was it. He also helps counter Gyarados and Salamence with Hidden Power Ice.
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ArkeisKingdra.png

Kingdra @ Lum Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
EV's: 252 Atk/ 232 Spd/ 24 Sp.Atk
Adamant nature (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
- Hydro Pump
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Description: Whats a Rain Dance Team without Kingdra? Kingdra is an awesome late-game sweeper, as the main reciever of the Substitute Passed by Jolteon Kingdra allways gets in a Dragon Dance before sweeping the rest of my opponents team. I use Lum Berry for two reasons, firstly, it can automaticaly cure me of Confusion once Outrage has ended, allowing me to cause even more harm on my opponent. Secondly, Kingdra is useless when Paralyzed, Burned or even Posioned, so when the opponet uses a move like Thunder Wave I simply cur myself and procide to sweep. I havn't really had problems with Kingdra, infact I have yet lost him in battle.
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Conclusion: I hope you enjoyed this read. I hope its up to Smogon Standards and all that good stuff. Just have fun Ratin' guys. Thanks!
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Congrats. This is an amazingly standard RD team. I've seen three or four that look just like this (mine included xD). I am in no way saying that being standard is a bad thing, I'm simply saying that this is standard lol. Anyways, on to the rate:

Ludicolo would probably perform better with a bit more offensive set. When I use Ludicolo, I go with max SAtk, enough Spd to get me to 225, and then dump the rest into HP. That way you'll be outspeeding DDMence in the rain after one DD. Attacks would be RD, Surf, Energy Ball/Grass Knot, and Ice Beam. But I give Colo Leftovers, like you have there, because I think that it makes Colo into a great tank. You have survivability as well as power, which really makes Ludicolo shine (or would the proper term be storm?) in a RD team. Test it out, it really works for me.

I think you were hinting that you don't like your lead. If that's the case, you could use Azelf or Uxie, depending on whether you want your lead to be defensive or offensive I guess. But you still wouldn't be straying far from the standard lol.

Kabutops should have Rock Slide over Stone Edge because the slight decrease in power is worth it after you factor in the increased accuracy and a chance to flinch. It's still doing a heck of a lot, especially when it hits for super effective damage.

Overall a very standard, but very effective nonetheless, Rain Dance team. Good luck with the new ideas.
 
First off, I would like to congratulate you for having a very nice rain dance team.

On Electrode, you may find it better to run a damp rock, for a good, start-up eight turn rain. If you are wanting a different lead, here is an Azelf lead that panamaxis gave me:

Azelf @ Damp Rock
Jolly
Levitate
252 HP/4 Atk/252 Spe
Rain Dance
Stealth Rock
Explosion
Taunt

The HP ev's give you a slight chance to live through a Metagross's meteor mash. Max speed to outrun whatever possible, and the attack for explosion. He has helped me as a suicide setter-upper for eight turn rain.

That's all I have to say- nice team!
 
I agree completely with Blackhawk on Ludi, that set mentioned is the best of the Rain Dance Ludis, however remember that using focus punch over rain dance can suprise Blissey and snorlax and all there unexpecting friends a lot.Kingdra look pretty cool, and getting a sub off from Jolteon is leet but how many times has that worked? Anf for all that effort Hydro Pump of is all thats being boosted so it seems a bit novelty. I would suggest changing Jolteon to something else purely because the resistance he provides isn't that amazing considering Bronzong doesn't die and your sweepers only take buetral damage.Why not instead use a bulky Rain Dance Latias set? i've used it with great success. Use DP / CM / Rain / Recover and leftovers or damp rock should suffice, max speed with timid and change around the HP and SpA to make it as defensive / offensive as you please. With two reliable rain dancers apart from Zelf, you're in buissiness. And with that, Ludi has room for Focus Punch!!!Apart from that I'd just say have the Azelf mentioned previous and keep SR on Zong just in case, Kabutops doesn't always need Rock Slide / Stone Edge, thats personal preference. However WATERFALL > aqua tail ALWAYS. as only 10 more power for 10% less accuracy and no flinch, which you can take full advantage of with excellent speed in the rain.The team is still pretty solid though, but consider some of these changes and good luck in the future...
 
Thanks for all the comments guys. Azelf seems like an awesome lead. It packs more of a special punch than electrode, while still carrying Explosion. So I will change Electrode.
I used to use a offensive LO set on Ludicolo, but the spread posted by Blackhawk looks solid, and should do the job better.
Gonna' change Stone Edge to Rock Slide, Kabutops is frail and can't afford a miss. That said, i will use Waterfall over Aqua Tail.
Gonna' kep Jolteon right now, (not saying I wont change it) This thing has been working out. Half of the time i get a Sub to Kingdra other times its just a free switch and no dammage. But people don't see the Lum Berry which allows for another DD.

Thanks for all your posts, I don't think I'm ready to let this one die yet...
 
Just quickly why thunder over thunderbolt on jolteon? If your subbing down to petaya then theres a good chance that the rain will run out on you.
 
Alright, as your wanting to keep Stealth Rock on Bronzong put U-turn on Azelf, also you might want to try Focus Sash as many Tyranitar leads carry Pursuit menaing you can't switch out and if you stay in they will take you out with Crunch. There's not really much else to say which hasn't already been seen, its a nice team that actually differs a bit from the standard ones.
 
joel22 said:
Alright, as your wanting to keep Stealth Rock on Bronzong put U-turn on Azelf, also you might want to try Focus Sash as many Tyranitar leads carry Pursuit menaing you can't switch out and if you stay in they will take you out with Crunch. There's not really much else to say which hasn't already been seen, its a nice team that actually differs a bit from the standard ones.
Click to expand...

U-turn is a great replacement for Stealth Rock, thanks. as for the Focus Sash, you make a good point, but I will stay with Damp Rock for the momment.
 
Comments:
Bronzong doesnt need attack EVs to have an effective explosion, which does 94.6% with no attack evs to bulky Gyara (when not intimidated). Put the other EVs in special defense where they will help against rain-boosted surfs.

Ludicolo: Ludicolo wants Hydro Pump, otherwise he cannot 2HKO Blissey. He also wants HP Bug/Electric instead of rain dance, since you have two rain dancers anyways

Jolteon: With Ludicolo being the only thing on your team with any method of Leftovers, you definitely want a wish passing Jolteon.
Jolteon@Leftovers
Timid, Volt Absorb
252 SpA, 252 Spe, 4 Def
-Substitute
-Wish
-Baton Pass
-Thunder/Thunderbolt/Rain Dance
Thunder for power, stab, and 30% paralysis rate. Thunderbolt accuracy under no rain. Rain Dance cuz if you pass Substitute, Wish, and Rain Dance to Ludicolo/Kabutops/Kingdra, its basically GG.

Thats all for now.
 
Why not have Jolteon know charge beam > current attack for the lucky boost if you ever get time to attack? you've emphasised that this can get time to set up and with charge beams 70% chance it looks nice. As for wish you could have rain dance there as emphasised by aRandomDude's post, passed sub + rain + wish = gg, but with a sub already there wish isn't essential as backup is already provided by the sub.

Why not have a berry of sorts (i had petaya / leichi in mind) because this activation only requires substitute's use and Rain Dance takes the place of Wish IF you ever get the time to set up both. I was thinking this...

Jolteon @ Petaya / Leichi Berry
Trait: Volt Absorb
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Charge Beam
- Substitute
- Rain Dance
- Baton Pass

The only reason this works with Petaya / Leichi berry is because of the time constraint Jolteon is under, and sub is often all it passes and leftovers isn't exactly giving jolt any bulk so there's essentially nothing at loss with this set change. Leichi or Petaya will come down to whether or not you find out you need initial Atk boosts outisde of DD or SpA boosts outside of boosts from Charge Beam, granted you wont always have this opportunity in particular...

EDIT: I forgot to mention this before, but 4 HP EVs assuming max HP IVs gives you a total HP divisible by 4, meaning you'll only need to sub 3 times before the Petaya / Leichi Berry activates... hope this helped!!! :3
 
first, run Life Orb on Ludicolo. Rain Dance teams are probably the most extreme example of suicidal offense and you shouldn't care about taking a hit or two since you have to create free switches for your sweepers via Explosion. Life Orb is extremely for important to pressure your opponent.

On Azelf, definately put Stealth Rock somewhere, preferably over U-Turn. Most of the time, you will want to Rain Dance turn 1 and against leads that cannot do much against it, SR is very welcome here. U-Turn is just a wasted slot in such offensive teams. Taunt is helpful against Ninjask (which is a big threat), but then you are screwed against lead Aerodactyls. I would go with Psychic on the last slot, and give Bronzong Gyro Ball to pressure Ninjask.

Bronzong is fine, like I said Gyro Ball > Hypnosis. Hypnosis is just too unreliable and you should explode out anyway.

Jolteon is meh, he shouldn't absorb Electric anyways (and are pretty rare too) now that Life Orb Ludicolo is OHKOing enemy Jolteons and Zapdos left and right. Looking at your team, you can try an offensive Gyarados over Jolteon. It works well as a late game sweeper and it gives you something to switch against an early game Infernape or Heatran if the Rain is not up and keep the momentum, which is very important. If you want something similar to Jolteon, you can go with Raikou. Both variants (LO and SubCM) should work better than Jolteon. If you go with Raikou, replace Kabutops with Qwilfish to absrob Toxic Spikes.
 
Honestly, I'd ditch either Jolteon for Rotom, who can still take electric attacks well enough, or Kingdra with Gyarados. The reason why? Lucario is a ridiculous threat to the team. The Rain doesn't even help out Ludicolo/Kingdra as Extremespeed bypasses that CC will take care of basically everything else.
 
Oh god, I'll switch back to a LO Ludicolo with Hydro Pump.
Azelf's main goal is toset up rain and xplode, so I will use
- Rain Dance
- Explosion
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
CREAM's Jolteon set looks solid. I will use that.
Gyarados seems like a good idea, I have allready been swept by an Agility Lucario :$. but Jolteon is kinda whats keeping this team together.
Thanks~
Keep Rating!
 
I have to agree with the effectiveness of Rotom. He serves a great number of purposes - a Lucario check being one (although it tends to carry Crunch). The other is as an Explosion absorber. His resistances fit in nicely, and bulk can be good to take hits. Your team is more offensively oriented than mine though, so I make this suggestion cautiously. I geared my Rotom to be more defensive and work on T-waving threats in case I run out of rain users to power my Swift Swimmers.

Have you tried out Crobat as a lead? He is faster than Azelf and can shut opposing openers down with Taunt before setting up rain. You lose your option of exploding, but looking at it Bronzong has this option too and sometimes it only takes one explosion to mess up someone's strategy and shift the game's momentum.

Either way I like this team. They're just some aspects of my own which have worked well for me ([shameless plug]my team can be found in my sig[/shameless plug]).
 
Rain Dance seems really misplaced on Jolteon, now. He gains nothing for himself by using it, and all of his moveset seem completely misplaced. He also doesn't have Damp Rock and is too frail to use it to support the team accurately.

For the role you're using, the Sub-based one, I think Zapdos is a better option. The only reason I'd run Jolteon in a Rain Dance team is Specsed and to absorb electric attacks.
 
I would suggest X scissor over Waterfall on Kabutops being that one of the worst things possible for a rain dance team is a Celebi.
It looks like Celebi can stop you right in your tracks.
Throw on X scissor, after a swords dance you are set to KO that thing.
Lacking a real Scizor counter, but I suppose the strong attacks and resists of your sweepers can take it down.
Stealth rock support is imporant, but you do not need it on 2 pokes, decide which one. Maybe you can take it off Zong for explosion, or you can just put U turn over it on Azelf.

DD Kingdra isn't as good as plain sweeper Kingdra's in rain dance teams,in my opinion.
If you used the mixed Kingdra, you would have a physical, special and mixed RD sweeper, which is very nice.
I like the team, matter of fact I like all rain dance teams, so yeah, nice work and good luck with it.
 
I've got a couple more comments:

Bronzong: I would go with an Ev spread of 252 HP/128 Def/128 Sp Def. The analysis says you don't need the Sp Def because it is raining, but Bronzong is used to replenish rain, not sweep in it. I agree with having SR on those to pokes, as Azelf will not always be able to get it up if you make rain a higher priority.

Ludicolo: I would recommend HP bug over HP electric. Gyarados is cleanly 2HKO'd by Grass Knot, and Hydro Pump in the rain will do more to anything else, even if it resists it, and HP bug will OHKO a Celebi most of the time after SR damage.

Kabutops: Stone Edge over Rock Slide. Even though the accuracy is horrible, with SE you lose the ability to OHKO a Gyarados with SR and Intimidate factored in. SD is mostly a waste of a rain turn, as most of the stuff you will not be able to OHKO without it (mainly Rotom and Machamp) will OHKO you while you SD up (Thunderbolt and Dynamicpunch, respectively). DO NOT get rid of Waterfalll, it is the most important attack on the set. Instead, I would recommend getting rid of SD for X-Scissor. Also, I would advise going to at least 204 Speed Ev's on him, as that allows you to outrun +1 +Nature Flygon/Salamence. A good spread for that is 32/252/224, as it still give you a LO number.

Jolteon: He is definitely out of place here. I would recommend either a specs set to absorb electric attacks, or switching to another support pokemon all together. Dugtrio gives an electric immunity and can trap and KO ttar.

Kingdra: Once again, I really don't like set-up sweepers on rain teams. If you are going to use him, that is a good seat, though. Naughty > Lonely, as it makes you weak to less forms of priority.

Overall, don't worry about Scizor. You will be able to KO him in one hit with everything bar Ktops, and he can finish the job with an Aqua Jet. Hope I've helped!
 
Not a full rate but DO NOT GET RID OF SD ON KABUTOPS! I run a similar set, just Stone Edge instead of Rock Slide and I've found that Tops is best used late game and when ever you see the chance, either a Protect/Switch/Roost SD and you will have one hell of a sweeper. SD is needed with Aqua Jet in order to have a threat late game once all your RD'er are dead.

X-Scissor won't get a OHKO on Celebi without a SD anyways so by the time you X-Scissor it you are either dead or T-Waved.
 
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