So, this is my 6th gen rain team I've been playing around with. I'd appreciate any opinions, and I'm not opposed to switching a few mons in or out.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 4 Def / 252 HP / 252 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Focus Blast
- Encore
- Toxic
The token Drizzle lead. Encore has actually been playing quite well in a lot of situations, like forcing my opponent to switch, giving me a safe turn to switch into Kingdra or Manectric. I'm not entirely sold on Toxic or Focus Blast however, and I'm considering dropping one or both of them for Ice Beam or a Hidden Power.
Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Flash Cannon
- Dragon Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
And of course once the rain starts pouring, Kingdra can come out to sweep. Water/Dragon/Ice/Steel is great coverage and few things can resist every one of those types. I'm considering Draco Meteor over Pulse for more burst damage.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- U-turn
- Superpower
Honestly, Scizor is the mon on the team I'm currently least satisfied with, mostly because of Superpower and Choice Specs. I kinda feel like there is anti-synergy between those two, and I'm considering cutting Superpower for Brick Break or Choice Specs for some other item. I just hate getting locked into a Superpower and having my opponent force a switch.
Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
This guy has continued to impress me, especially for a mega that I don't see get used much at all. Including Megas, there are very few mons faster than M-Mane, and he has an impressive 135 base SpA. Lightningrod is actually relevant as well, because you can switch it in on an electric attack then go Mega for a sweep. HP Ice and Overheat provide excellent coverage.
Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
Nothing out of the ordinary here, just revenge killer Talonflame. Even if Flare Blitz is neutered in the rain, High damage Brave Birds can often get the job done. One thing to notice about the team in general is how I have 3 users of U-turn or Volt Switch. Shuffling my team with these abilities allows me to maximize my usage of M-Mane's Intimidate and Politoed's Drizzle.
Excadrill @ Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Shadow Claw
- Rock Slide
Because of the switching tactics mentioned above, I needed a spinner to clear out sneaky pebbles. I chose Shadow Claw over Iron Head, as I'm currently lacking a Ghost attack on the team. His other abilities are pretty obvious. In the rain, he can even survive a non-boosted Flare Blitz from a Talonflame and counter with Rock Slide.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 4 Def / 252 HP / 252 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Focus Blast
- Encore
- Toxic
The token Drizzle lead. Encore has actually been playing quite well in a lot of situations, like forcing my opponent to switch, giving me a safe turn to switch into Kingdra or Manectric. I'm not entirely sold on Toxic or Focus Blast however, and I'm considering dropping one or both of them for Ice Beam or a Hidden Power.
Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Flash Cannon
- Dragon Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
And of course once the rain starts pouring, Kingdra can come out to sweep. Water/Dragon/Ice/Steel is great coverage and few things can resist every one of those types. I'm considering Draco Meteor over Pulse for more burst damage.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- U-turn
- Superpower
Honestly, Scizor is the mon on the team I'm currently least satisfied with, mostly because of Superpower and Choice Specs. I kinda feel like there is anti-synergy between those two, and I'm considering cutting Superpower for Brick Break or Choice Specs for some other item. I just hate getting locked into a Superpower and having my opponent force a switch.
Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
This guy has continued to impress me, especially for a mega that I don't see get used much at all. Including Megas, there are very few mons faster than M-Mane, and he has an impressive 135 base SpA. Lightningrod is actually relevant as well, because you can switch it in on an electric attack then go Mega for a sweep. HP Ice and Overheat provide excellent coverage.
Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
Nothing out of the ordinary here, just revenge killer Talonflame. Even if Flare Blitz is neutered in the rain, High damage Brave Birds can often get the job done. One thing to notice about the team in general is how I have 3 users of U-turn or Volt Switch. Shuffling my team with these abilities allows me to maximize my usage of M-Mane's Intimidate and Politoed's Drizzle.
Excadrill @ Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Shadow Claw
- Rock Slide
Because of the switching tactics mentioned above, I needed a spinner to clear out sneaky pebbles. I chose Shadow Claw over Iron Head, as I'm currently lacking a Ghost attack on the team. His other abilities are pretty obvious. In the rain, he can even survive a non-boosted Flare Blitz from a Talonflame and counter with Rock Slide.
