TEH RAINY DRAGOON (it’s not Kingdra)
Rain is arguably the best weather around in this meta. STAB Hydro Pumps floating around like nothing? The possibility to make a team exploiting the added Fire resistance? A ton of abilities that use rain to its fullest? If these three arguments alone don’t leave you astonished, think twice.
The only not-so-good thing about the rain is its starter, Politoed. Nonetheless, it can be used in so many ways that one can be creative in his playstyle. The type of concept that I had in my mind is to use weather and to not use it. In fact, none of the Pokémon listed below bar Politoed and Tornadus use rain actively: the only asset that I wanted to exploit is the added Fire resistance.
I took some Pokes that could work this way, standard sets that I read in the archives (with the exception of Tornadus). Surprisingly, this team works! In reality, this team born with another idea in mind: the combination of Expert Belt Jirachi and Double Dance Haxorus. It is getting confusing, isn’t it? Well, let’s get in-depth and see if I can clarify this…
TEAM BUILDING
I really wanted to use Double Dance Haxorus. It is SO powerful and versatile!
Expert Belt Jirachi was added as it lures Pokémons that stop cold a Haxorus sweep and fries them.
I implemented Double Screen Espeon to ease the Haxorus’ setup and help me against hazard layers.
I noticed an underrated Pokémon in the UU environment: Tornadus. I created a set that I find really difficult to deal with. But it can only be effective with the addition of rain.
Politoed was added to strengthen Tornadus. But I noticed that it could help the other team members. I lacked a Scarfer, so I gave Choice Scarf to the frog.
Then it was Breloom turn. SubPunch variant took a spot in the team for its resistances and heavy punch.
ILiekBelly (Politoed) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Perish Song
Did I say Politoed isn’t good? Well, that’s true. But it can come in handy in some situations. First of all, it sets up rain, the most important feature of this Pokémon. Frankly, the team could be a weatherless one, but the implementation of weather in it helps Jirachi and Breloom dealing with Fire, cancels the opposing weather and, most importantly, it makes Tornadus work. We’ll see that in a moment. Secondly, it has enough speed and power to ensure that fast mixed attacker are dead before saying “Drizzle” (durr). Hydro Pump is very powerful even if not Specs’d, Surf is more reliable, Ice Beam is for Dragons. Finally, Perish Song is my only form of pseudo-Phazing in this team. A straightforward set, effective enough.
MahBoy (Haxorus) (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Swords Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
With proper support, good setup and some luck, this Gargantua breaks the game. It is really simple to force out the opponent fearing a Choice Band and set up. Mind games are not an option: this thing sets up and destroys. The only real problems are Skarmory and Gliscor, which are demolished by Jirachi. Lum Berry is a good item because crippling Haxorus is really simple and this item gives a wind to setup. This monster is preserved to sweep late game, preferably when my screens are up and the enemy’s walls are down. Jolly nature is preferred as Haxorus packs enough punch on his own and outrunning random Scarfers and a lot of threats with a DD is appreciated. Oh, and Garchomp can’t do this.
iMad (Jirachi) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 152 Atk / 204 SAtk / 152 Spd
Naive Nature
- Iron Head
- Fire Punch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Probably the most replaceable team member, but I love Jirachi for one reason only: as he can run a plethora of different sets, it is really easy to fake multiple roles with him, especially the Scarf one. I use this 'mon to ease Haxorus' job and weaken some threats thinking that they can use Jirachi as setup fodder. The moves are pretty standard: Iron Head is for STAB and flinch, Fire Punch to eliminate Ferrothorn, Scizor and Steels in general, Thunderbolt for Bulky Waters and Skarmory, HP Ice for Gliscor and Dragons. A great lure.
CheezBurger (Espeon) @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Timid Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Baton Pass
Another standard Smogon set, but really effective. It really pays off to have both screens up, as it grants a lot more survivability to the party. The real reason I use the psychic kitten is another, though: I lack a spinner AND an hazard layer. But I don’t really miss them, as Espeon fits the Magic Bouncer bill perfectly. When I see a potential layer, I usually switch in and set up screens. Dry Baton Pass is an excellent scouting move: it eases prediction greatly and I use it instead of switching most of the time. HP Fire has generally more utility than a STAB Psychic move.
Shazam! (Tornadus) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Def
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
The reason why I implemented Politoed in the team. I never used Tornadus, but now I adore this Pokémon! Substitute+Taunt Tornadus is something no one really expects, and it works really well. With Prankster Taunt, it becomes a great stallbreaker (no offense, Sableye), and by maximizing Speed and Special Attack I can rely on a potent mid-game sweeper. Hurricane hits like a truck everything that doesn’t resist it, and Focus Blast is for Steels and general coverage. Prankster Substitute is a bitch. I don’t really have the necessity of a power-enhancing item: I find Leftovers more useful, because they let me set up more Subs, and Tornadus is really powerful even without boosts.
Psilocybe (Breloom) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 Spd / 240 Atk / 12 HP
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Spore
- Seed Bomb
Another underrated threat, and with an underused set. This thing is POWERFUL!!! Bulk Up set? I already have a set-up sweeper. SubSeed? It doesn’t fit in an hyper-offense team. Technician? Nah. With proper prediction, this thing gets at least a kill. Spore is icing on the cake, it neutralizes one Pokémon and leaves the opponent two choices: let me set up a Substitute and Focus Punch the sleeping harmless Pokémon, or switch out, let me set up a Substitute and Focus Punch the incoming harmless Pokémon. SubPunch Breloom works wonderfully if the enemy’s Ghosts are down and synergizes well with pretty much any member of the team, mainly because it incapacitates one Poke with Spore and eliminates Steels without efforts.
IMPORTABLE
Code:
MahBoy (Haxorus) (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Swords Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
iMad (Jirachi) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 152 Atk / 204 SAtk / 152 Spd
Naive Nature
- Iron Head
- Fire Punch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
CheezBurger (Espeon) @ Light Clay
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Timid Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Baton Pass
Shazam! (Tornadus) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Def
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
ILiekBelly (Politoed) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Perish Song
Psilocybe (Breloom) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 Spd / 240 Atk / 12 HP
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Spore
- Seed BombCONCLUSION
Well, I think this team is far from perfect, but is certainly an easy to use, fast-paced one and I have a great time playing it. I hope you enjoyed it! Feel free to rate it and try it, I really appreciate constructive criticism. See ya!
