MattL
I have discovered a truly remarkable CT which this box is t-
Approved by DHR-107
Overview
Recently, rain has been forced to be a sub-archetype of offense. The removal of permanent weather caused it to become a niche style that, while sometimes very effective, was a bit more matchup based and less consistent. The temporary weather also causes defensive rain builds to be ineffective. After the comprehensive Gen 7 info leak, we saw that rain received a great buff: U-turn.
Although Politoed has rain-boosted Scald and Encore, it's tends to kill the player's momentum, which is detrimental for offensive teams. You have to either stay in and waste precious rain turns or switch and risk one of your other mons. Obviously, part of playing offense well is knowing when to make smart doubles in order to minimize risk, but the initiative gained from U-turn, especially a slower one, is a huge boon.
Sample Team
Under the assumption that the Pokemon banned in ORAS will continue to be banned, along with Lunala, Solgaleo, and Phermosa, below is a sample rain build taking into account what we know so far about Gen 7. Some of the previously banned Pokemon, such as Genesect, might not be banned in Gen 7, allowing more opportunities to improve rain builds, but at this point it's impossible to say what the meta will exactly be like. Despite being rather one-dimensional, Gen 7 rain has lots of options, one of which is showcased below:
Other Options
Tapu Koko fits well on rain and is the perfect example of a Pokemon benefiting from both weather and a terrain. It's insanely fast (especially for a non-Mega) and under Electric Terrain, hits harder than Modest Thundurus-T with Electric-type moves. It also counters opposing Tornadus-T (barring confusion hax). Mega Manectric, while being an even faster Electric, might not have enough over Tapu Koko to justify the Mega slot.
Kabutops and Mega Swampert are, as always, very potent cleaners, providing boosting/priority and bulk, respectively. Omaster is also very powerful, but might consider running Ancientpower this gen due to Mantine.
If unbanned (or, until it's rebanned), Genesect has Thunder, U-turn, great synergy with Kingdra and especially Dugtrio, and strong offenses.
Mega Heracross is sometimes seen on rain due to its ability to destroy Chansey and Ferrothorn, which Kingdra struggles to break through. In a similar manner, Buzzwole or Marshadow could be used to good effect alongside Kingdra.
Ferrothorn is unfortunately a bit passive and doesn't take that great advantage of the limited turns. However, it's still very solid, largely due to its naturally good capabilities.
Xurkitree seems appealing due to its monstrous Special Attack and ability to use 100% accurate Thunder, but it's a bit slow, and having a Choice Scarf Electric Type forces the player to be cautious about killing the momentum.
Thoughts?
Where do you see rain going this gen - will it even be that effective? How will it fit into the weather wars due to the influx of many new setters? How much has it improved due to Pelipper? What other options for rain are worth the slot? What new cores do you see being effective in rain? How can we use new Pokemon, moves, abilities, and mechanics to maximize the capabilities of rain builds? With that, go ahead and discuss!
Overview
Recently, rain has been forced to be a sub-archetype of offense. The removal of permanent weather caused it to become a niche style that, while sometimes very effective, was a bit more matchup based and less consistent. The temporary weather also causes defensive rain builds to be ineffective. After the comprehensive Gen 7 info leak, we saw that rain received a great buff: U-turn.
Although Politoed has rain-boosted Scald and Encore, it's tends to kill the player's momentum, which is detrimental for offensive teams. You have to either stay in and waste precious rain turns or switch and risk one of your other mons. Obviously, part of playing offense well is knowing when to make smart doubles in order to minimize risk, but the initiative gained from U-turn, especially a slower one, is a huge boon.
Sample Team
Under the assumption that the Pokemon banned in ORAS will continue to be banned, along with Lunala, Solgaleo, and Phermosa, below is a sample rain build taking into account what we know so far about Gen 7. Some of the previously banned Pokemon, such as Genesect, might not be banned in Gen 7, allowing more opportunities to improve rain builds, but at this point it's impossible to say what the meta will exactly be like. Despite being rather one-dimensional, Gen 7 rain has lots of options, one of which is showcased below:
Pelipper @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 200 SpD / 60 Spe
Calm Nature
- U-turn
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Roost
Being the only weather setter so far with a momentum-gaining move (that doesn't kill yourself - i.e. Gigalith Explosion) is a wonderful distinction. Defog is potentially an option. It's counterproductive for offensive teams due to Stealth Rock assisting in scoring KOs, but Pelipper is weak to Rocks and the team as a while (barring Torn to an extent), gets worn down quite a bit from them. 60 Speed EVs gives it 181 Speed, a decent benchmark versus defensive Pokemon and those that creep them, though the best EV spread won't be known for sure until the meta settles. Specially defensive is chosen here to better switch into Pokemon such as passive Water types and possibly other setters such as Charizard-Y and Alolan Ninetales. Although Pelipper is weak to Rocks, 8 turns is a long time for offense, and so Pelipper doesn't necessarily have to be able to switch in that many times. Due to its mediocre bulk, it shouldn't try to switch into too much, though.
Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 SpA
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Electric] / Ice Beam
Specs might have a harder time this gen than last due to Mantine. With 20 more HP and Roost, along with Water Absorb, Mantine will significantly rise as a hazard removal option due to its ability to shut down so many Pokemon. To mixed defense Mantine, Specs Draco does barely over half, and with the threat of Water Absorb in the back somewhat forcing the Draco, it may be overall more effective to use LO HP Electric. This way rain's main sweeper won't completely kill your momentum. However, Specs Draco obviously 2HKOs after Stealth Rock, and so is still a fine option that also doesn't wear Kingdra down turn per turn.
Dugtrio @ Custap Berry
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Endure
- Reversal
- Screech / Stone Edge / Memento / Toxic
With +20 base Attack this gen and a newfound ability to actually inflict reasonable damage, Dugtrio is amazing at easily removing threats - so much so that it might not be safe to assume that Dugtrio won't be banned this gen. Anyway, although Focus Sash and Choice Band are solid options in general, the Custap Berry set is the only one that can potentially remove Pokemon faster than it (this team has no hazard removal, as is typical of rain HO, so Focus Sash is not a good option for this team). The list of important Pokemon this Dugtrio set removes includes, but is definitely not limited to: Manectric, Tapu Koko, Ttar, Lopunny without Quick Attack, and Xurkitree. The last slot is very flexible and could depend on meta trends or even be an option not listed. It might be tempting to want to replace this Pokemon slot with another Swift Swim user, but Dugtrio with base 100 Attack is so effective at reliably taking out so many things that it's worth the slot. Dugtrio also could be used to get that necessary hit off on Tapu Fini, which is a switch-in to Kingdra.
Tornadus-Therian @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Taunt
Tornadus is the perfect Pokemon to both abuse rain and give rain teams a strong answer to Grasses, which is why it's found on almost all rain teams. Largely due to Dugtrio, Focus Blast is less necessary, so the utility of Taunt might prove more useful. On rain, Tornadus should only run Life Orb because this Tornadus is not meant to pivot, it's meant to break. Although this Tornadus isn't meant to pivot, it still does a good job at being one (relative to most other Pokemon), and so using a minus defense nature might not be the best option because Tornadus's physical attacks aren't meant to do lots of damage, necessarily.
Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Atk / 44 Def / 200 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
Mega Scizor is an amazing catch-all pivot, able to switch into Weavile and Gardevoir while still retaining the ability to sweep. Although Tapu Lele shuts down Bullet Punch, it actually still doesn't do well against this set unless it has HP Fire, and the rest of the team has several answers to Tapu Lele anyway. This set provides strong offensive, defensive, and utility support (U-turn is amazing utility for rain builds) and Scizor will almost certainly continue to be a top Mega in Gen 7.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Earth Plate / Groundium-Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance / U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Obligatory Stealth Rock, plus Landorus-T helps break through Ferrothorn, and Chansey can't deal with this set either. Due to its role as a breaker, using Earthquake as the base for a Z-move is an option to get off the one necessary huge hit - the Z-move is about 50% stronger than Soft Sand Earthquake. The raw power provided by this set helps the other 4 "faster" Pokemon (not Pelipper) score KOs more easily. Lum Berry is potentially another option to help with stray Spores, burns, and maybe to act as an emergency (albeit shaky) answer to opposing Tornadus without fearing confusion.
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 200 SpD / 60 Spe
Calm Nature
- U-turn
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Roost
Being the only weather setter so far with a momentum-gaining move (that doesn't kill yourself - i.e. Gigalith Explosion) is a wonderful distinction. Defog is potentially an option. It's counterproductive for offensive teams due to Stealth Rock assisting in scoring KOs, but Pelipper is weak to Rocks and the team as a while (barring Torn to an extent), gets worn down quite a bit from them. 60 Speed EVs gives it 181 Speed, a decent benchmark versus defensive Pokemon and those that creep them, though the best EV spread won't be known for sure until the meta settles. Specially defensive is chosen here to better switch into Pokemon such as passive Water types and possibly other setters such as Charizard-Y and Alolan Ninetales. Although Pelipper is weak to Rocks, 8 turns is a long time for offense, and so Pelipper doesn't necessarily have to be able to switch in that many times. Due to its mediocre bulk, it shouldn't try to switch into too much, though.
Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 SpA
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Electric] / Ice Beam
Specs might have a harder time this gen than last due to Mantine. With 20 more HP and Roost, along with Water Absorb, Mantine will significantly rise as a hazard removal option due to its ability to shut down so many Pokemon. To mixed defense Mantine, Specs Draco does barely over half, and with the threat of Water Absorb in the back somewhat forcing the Draco, it may be overall more effective to use LO HP Electric. This way rain's main sweeper won't completely kill your momentum. However, Specs Draco obviously 2HKOs after Stealth Rock, and so is still a fine option that also doesn't wear Kingdra down turn per turn.
Dugtrio @ Custap Berry
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Endure
- Reversal
- Screech / Stone Edge / Memento / Toxic
With +20 base Attack this gen and a newfound ability to actually inflict reasonable damage, Dugtrio is amazing at easily removing threats - so much so that it might not be safe to assume that Dugtrio won't be banned this gen. Anyway, although Focus Sash and Choice Band are solid options in general, the Custap Berry set is the only one that can potentially remove Pokemon faster than it (this team has no hazard removal, as is typical of rain HO, so Focus Sash is not a good option for this team). The list of important Pokemon this Dugtrio set removes includes, but is definitely not limited to: Manectric, Tapu Koko, Ttar, Lopunny without Quick Attack, and Xurkitree. The last slot is very flexible and could depend on meta trends or even be an option not listed. It might be tempting to want to replace this Pokemon slot with another Swift Swim user, but Dugtrio with base 100 Attack is so effective at reliably taking out so many things that it's worth the slot. Dugtrio also could be used to get that necessary hit off on Tapu Fini, which is a switch-in to Kingdra.
Tornadus-Therian @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Taunt
Tornadus is the perfect Pokemon to both abuse rain and give rain teams a strong answer to Grasses, which is why it's found on almost all rain teams. Largely due to Dugtrio, Focus Blast is less necessary, so the utility of Taunt might prove more useful. On rain, Tornadus should only run Life Orb because this Tornadus is not meant to pivot, it's meant to break. Although this Tornadus isn't meant to pivot, it still does a good job at being one (relative to most other Pokemon), and so using a minus defense nature might not be the best option because Tornadus's physical attacks aren't meant to do lots of damage, necessarily.
Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Atk / 44 Def / 200 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
Mega Scizor is an amazing catch-all pivot, able to switch into Weavile and Gardevoir while still retaining the ability to sweep. Although Tapu Lele shuts down Bullet Punch, it actually still doesn't do well against this set unless it has HP Fire, and the rest of the team has several answers to Tapu Lele anyway. This set provides strong offensive, defensive, and utility support (U-turn is amazing utility for rain builds) and Scizor will almost certainly continue to be a top Mega in Gen 7.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Earth Plate / Groundium-Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance / U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Obligatory Stealth Rock, plus Landorus-T helps break through Ferrothorn, and Chansey can't deal with this set either. Due to its role as a breaker, using Earthquake as the base for a Z-move is an option to get off the one necessary huge hit - the Z-move is about 50% stronger than Soft Sand Earthquake. The raw power provided by this set helps the other 4 "faster" Pokemon (not Pelipper) score KOs more easily. Lum Berry is potentially another option to help with stray Spores, burns, and maybe to act as an emergency (albeit shaky) answer to opposing Tornadus without fearing confusion.
Other Options
Tapu Koko fits well on rain and is the perfect example of a Pokemon benefiting from both weather and a terrain. It's insanely fast (especially for a non-Mega) and under Electric Terrain, hits harder than Modest Thundurus-T with Electric-type moves. It also counters opposing Tornadus-T (barring confusion hax). Mega Manectric, while being an even faster Electric, might not have enough over Tapu Koko to justify the Mega slot.
Kabutops and Mega Swampert are, as always, very potent cleaners, providing boosting/priority and bulk, respectively. Omaster is also very powerful, but might consider running Ancientpower this gen due to Mantine.
If unbanned (or, until it's rebanned), Genesect has Thunder, U-turn, great synergy with Kingdra and especially Dugtrio, and strong offenses.
Mega Heracross is sometimes seen on rain due to its ability to destroy Chansey and Ferrothorn, which Kingdra struggles to break through. In a similar manner, Buzzwole or Marshadow could be used to good effect alongside Kingdra.
Ferrothorn is unfortunately a bit passive and doesn't take that great advantage of the limited turns. However, it's still very solid, largely due to its naturally good capabilities.
Xurkitree seems appealing due to its monstrous Special Attack and ability to use 100% accurate Thunder, but it's a bit slow, and having a Choice Scarf Electric Type forces the player to be cautious about killing the momentum.
Thoughts?
Where do you see rain going this gen - will it even be that effective? How will it fit into the weather wars due to the influx of many new setters? How much has it improved due to Pelipper? What other options for rain are worth the slot? What new cores do you see being effective in rain? How can we use new Pokemon, moves, abilities, and mechanics to maximize the capabilities of rain builds? With that, go ahead and discuss!