RU Ludicolo

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Martin

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Overview
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Everyone's favorite Mexican duck is back, and in full force in RU. Ludicolo has always been one of those things which are feared when under the correct circumstances, but is often overlooked in RU due to it being very slightly situational. Its main saving grace, however, is its brilliant typing, which gives it all sorts of help - both offensively and defensively.

[Pros]
-Great typing both offensively and defensively. Gives 4x Water-type resistance
-Decent all-around stats
-Good ability-pool
-Fairly wide movepool
-The powder nerf helped Ludicolo a lot
-Is a dancing Mexican duck
-Terrifying under the correct circumstances

[Cons]
-Slightly situational
-Weak to U-turn and Fletchinder and Swellow's Acrobatics and Brave Bird, respecively
-HATES status - especially paralysis

Swift Swim Sweeper
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name: Swift Swim Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance
ability: Swift Swim
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

-Hydro Pump is recommended for the sheer power under rain. Will be main move spammed.
-Surf can be used if you prefer accuracy, although it is quite a bit weaker
-Giga Drain for Grass-type STAB, getting past opposing Water-type resistances. Also heals Ludicolo which is helpful for its longevity - something which it doesn't have much of.
-Ice Beam hits the rare Dragon-types, such as the soon-to-be-banned Druddigon, as well as the Grass-types which resist Ludicolo's STAB moves. Gives Ludicolo perfect neutral coverage
-Rain Dance to get a sweep going

Set Details
========

-EVs to max out power and speed. Also lets it switch into Stealth Rock for minimal damage due to odd HP number. Is helpful as Ludi will be switching in and out a lot early- and mid-game to take hits, absorb Spore/Sleep Powder/Stun Spore or to attack and get a non-end-all sweep (or even to get one against unprepared players)
-Life Orb for power boost
-Damp Rock can be used to boost rain's length, but generally inferior as Ludicolo misses the power.
-Swift Swim to bolster speed up to terrifying levels
-Modest as Ludi does not need timid due to Swift Swim

Usage Tips
========

-Play conservatively as Ludicolo, while having some longevity due to Giga Drain, doesn't have the best in the world.
-Play with precision (land all of your predictions): you can't afford to be using too many resisted hits.
-Avoid status as best you can, and make sure Sticky Web is off the field when you switch Ludicolo in.
-Make sure to avoid most super effective hits unless you know you can take the hit and finish off the rest of your opponent's team. Ludicolo can't afford to be taking them if it doesn't have to.
-If you have another rain setter on your team which hasn't fainted, try your best to keep it conscious. Also make sure that, if they are conscious and you can afford to do so - i.e. you won't lose too much momentum with it - make sure to set up rain before Ludicolo comes in.
-Ludicolo can easily set up on bulky Water-types like Slowking and Alomomola, as well as being able to force many switches against things like Rhyperior, Gligar and Caracosta. Use this to your advantage as Ludicolo really needs to have rain up to do much in the tier.

Team Options
========

-Flying-type resistances, such as Omastar, Kabutops and Heliolisk are useful for taking on stuff like Fletchinder.
-Uxie can double up as a hazards setter and a rain setter, making it a great partner.
-Rain setters, such as Volbeat, Uxie and Liepard are great partners to enable Ludicolo to come in with rain already set up.
-Kabutops is a good Swift Swim sweeper partner who can cover the physical side of the spectrum for Ludicolo, meaning the two can form a terrifying offensive core.
-Slow U-turn, Volt Switch and Parting Shot users, such as Eelectross or Pangoro, and Pokemon with self-KO moves, such as Accellgor, are useful teammates to get Ludi in safely
-Clerics such as Lanturn and Aromatisse are useful to deal with Paralysis and other status conditions
-hazard setters to make its job of sweeping a little easier. This includes spikes setters like Omastar and Accellgor to catch grounded checks to Ludicolo like specially defensive Registeel and Rosellia on the switch.
-Baton Passers such as Gorebyss to boost Ludicolo's stats and make it even more terrifying. Gorebyss also gets a boost from Swift Swim.
-Users of Thunder, such as Jolteon, Heliolisk and Rotom-C, appreciate the rain and hit Flying-types hard

Other Options
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Assault Vest
########
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Scald
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Focus Blast
ability: Rain Dish / Swift Swim
item: Assault Vest
evs: 104 HP / 108 Def / 252 SpA / 44 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

-Giga Drain will be main move spammed due to healing
-Scald is useful to hit all non-dragon-type/Ferroseed/Abomasnow for neutral damage. Has a high chance to burn
-Ice Beam deals with dragons
-Hidden Power Fire/Focus Blast for Ferroseed and Abomasnow. Only run Focus Blast on rain teams as it is inaccurate and those are its only real targets

Set Details
========

-EVs outpace uninvested base 75s when Swift Swim is not active. Special attack is maxed out. The EVs in HP and defense max out Ludicolo's overall bulk with the remaining EVs.
-Rain Dish is recommended to get passive healing when rain is up. However, Swift Swim can be used to bolster Ludicolo's speed nicely, giving it a better speed tier.
-Modest used to bolster power
-AV cause AV set. Turns Ludicolo into a reasonably bulky tank

Usage Tips
========

-You can afford to switch into more hits with this set. However, do not abuse this fact as too many powerful hits will cripple Ludicolo beyond repair. Also, don't switch into physical Flying-type attacks.
-Try and avoid status as best you can.

Team Options
========

-Clerics such as Lanturn and Aromatisse to remove status
-Rapid Spinners and Defoggers such as Hitmontop and Golbat
-Flying-type resistances are helpful
Swords Dance
########
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Drain Punch / Ice Punch / Encore
ability: Swift Swim
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant

Moves
========

-Swords Dance is used to boost up
-Waterfall for powerful Water-type STAB
-Ditto (pun intended) about Seed Bomb except not boosted by rain
-Drain Punch for healing
-Ice Punch for perfect neutral coverage
-Encore to make setting up easier
-Rain Dance to boost up speed to terrifying levels, but Ludicolo has a hard time setting up twice.

Set Details
========

-EVs to max out attack and speed while giving you a Stealth Rock HP number
-Adamant as you should only come in when rain is set up, and Ludicolo isn't the strongest thing in the world
-Life Orb as power is needed
-Swift Swim as speed is needed

Usage Tips
========

-Make sure rain is up when you come in. Also only come in on things which Ludicolo usually forces out so that you can safely set up Swords Dance. Ludicolo needs to set up to succeed
-Play conservatively, and don't reveal that Ludicolo is physical early on so as to not blow your cover. Surprise is your greatest ally.
-Land all your predictions. Resisted hits could be costly for Ludicolo
-Avoid status - especially paralysis and make sure Sticky Web is off of the field.
-Bring in late game. Swords Dance Ludicolo's job is to clean.

Team Options
========

-Rain setters, such as Volbeat and Kabutops, as Ludicolo needs the speed to sweep
-Rapid Spinners and Defoggers like Hitmontop and Golbat to clear Sticky Web and other hazzards
-Clerics like Lanturn and Aromatisse to clear status
-Hazard setters to make job of sweeping easier
-Flying-type resistances are helpful
-Baton Passers such as Scyther to save Ludicolo from having to set up
-Slow U-turn, Volt Switch and Parting Shot users, such as Eelectross or Pangoro, and Pokemon with self-KO moves, such as Accellgor, are useful teammates to get Ludi in safely
-Specs to ease prediction, but Ludi really needs to be able to switch up moves to do too much.
-Mixed Hone Claws
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power Fire
-Energy Ball, but hurts Ludicolo's longevity and doesn't gain any noteworthy KOs
-SubSeed
-Own Tempo, but no more swagger

Checks and Counters
########

-Walls - anything specially defensive and not weak to Ludicolo's STAB moves - such as specially defensive Registeel, Rosellia and Amoonguss - will easily take Ludicolo on
-Fletchinder (can't switch in directly outside of on a well-lured Giga Drain, but OHKOs Ludicolo with STAB prioroty Acrobatics when unboosted)
-Abomasnow resists both of Ludicolo's STABs, doesn't care about Ice Beam and changes the weather from rain - sometimes twice without switching (assuming it hasn't mega evolved yet)
-Residual damage (from status and entry hazards)
-Speed control (Paralysis, Trick Room and, to a lesser effect, Sticky Web)
-Prioroty from stuff like Zoroark and Hitmonlee can easily cut a sweep short
Overview
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While its usage in the upper tiers is fairly situational, Ludicolo's saving grace in RU is its brilliant typing, which gives it neutralities to Grass- and Electric-type moves and immunities to Spore, Sleep Powder and Stun Spore, making it a staple on rain teams. It has an amazing ability in Swift Swim, which lets it outpace every unboosted Pokemon in the tier when under the rain, as well as all Choice Scarf users barring Cinccino and Timid variants of Delphox. In conjunction with its decent Special Attack, good special bulk, and fairly wide movepool, this makes Ludicolo a powerful rain sweeper that acts a great check to defensive threats such as Gastrodon. However, our Mexican pineapple isn't without flaws. First of all, it can only stay in and KO weakened Amoonguss, which hurts one of its bigger niches on rain teams as an absorber of Spore, Sleep Powder, and Stun Spore, and it is OHKOed by unboosted Fletchinder's priority Acrobatics, meaning that Fletchinder can come in and easily revenge kill Ludicolo. Additionally, Ludicolo is weak to the ever-present U-turn and is forced out by the majority of common users of the move —a factor which makes it harder for Ludicolo to switch in repeatedly. Additionally, Ludicolo absolutely despises status as it wears it down very quickly in conjunction with Life Orb recoil or, in the case of paralysis, neuters its sweeping capabilities.

Swift Swim Sweeper
########
name: Swift Swim Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance
ability: Swift Swim
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

Hydro Pump is Ludicolo's main STAB move, OHKOing or 2HKOing almost anything that doesn't resist it in the rain. However, it is fairly inaccurate, so Surf can be used if you prefer accuracy over power. Please note, however, that Surf is more reliant on rain than Hydro Pump to deal heavy damage, and it should only be used on dedicated rain teams. Giga Drain is the Grass-type STAB move of choice, healing Ludicolo and giving it some longevity. This works well alongside Life Orb as it negates the recoil somewhat, and it also helps Ludicolo deal with poison or burn damage for a little longer before being forced out. Ice Beam is absolutely necessary for Ludicolo to deal with opposing Grass-types that resist its STAB combination, as well as Druddigon. This combination of attacks gives Ludicolo perfect neutral coverage against all relevant Pokemon. Finally, Rain Dance is a necessity for Ludicolo as it lets it set up rain and continue its sweep. You can use Focus Blast over Rain Dance for Ludicolo to hit Abomasnow and Ferroseed hard when they switch in, but those are its only targets, and it is far too inaccurate to be recommended; Ludicolo is very reliant on Rain Dance to sweep.

Set Details
========

The EVs are incredibly simple, maximizing Ludicolo's power and Speed, while giving it a Stealth Rock HP number. A Modest nature is used to maximize Ludicolo's power, as a Timid nature isn't needed to outpace anything notable outside of Choice Scarf Cinccino and Timid Choice Scarf Delphox. Life Orb is the preferred item for Ludicolo as it can't afford to be locked into a move with Choice Specs, and it needs the power boost to deal heavy damage with its coverage moves. Leftovers might look great on paper to improve Ludicolo's longevity, especially when you consider its excellent special bulk, but Ludicolo can't do without the power boost Life Orb provides due to its middling Special Attack. Similarly, Damp Rock can be used to give Ludicolo more turns to use the rain it summons, but it suffers from the same downfalls as Leftovers.

Usage Tips
========

Make sure to play Ludicolo conservatively, as it can't afford to take too many hits while switching in despite having Giga Drain and good special bulk. Try to keep it away from Toxic as it will force Ludicolo out very quickly, and in cases where Ludicolo does get hit by status, try and clear it up fairly quickly with Heal Bell or Aromatherapy. However, this shouldn't come at the cost of momentum; the additional residual damage will be worth it if Ludicolo can take down another Pokemon or two. Ludicolo is best brought in on a slow U-turn, Volt Switch, or Parting Shot or after another Pokemon on your team has fainted so as to preserve its HP as best as possible. It is also advisable to keep teammates that can set up rain healthy so that Ludicolo needn't waste a turn on Rain Dance. Furthermore, Ludicolo walls most bulky Water-types cold, so it can switch in on them to set up Rain Dance, even if it gets hit with Toxic in the process; in any case, if Ludicolo can't sweep yet, a fellow rain attacker can make use of the rain to soften up Ludicolo's counters or pull off a sweep itself.

Team Options
========

Ludicolo works well on hyper offense, bulky offensive, and balanced teams. Build around it accordingly to maximize the success that it can achieve. Pokemon that resist Flying, such as Omastar, Kabutops, and Registeel, are useful to prevent Fletchinder from taking out Ludicolo. The former two also have great synergy with Ludicolo, benefiting from the rain with their own Swift Swim and thus keeping up offensive pressure. Rain setters like Volbeat, Liepard, and Uxie are great partners for Ludicolo, with the former also being able to Baton Pass Tail Glow boosts. Speaking of Baton Pass, Gorebyss is a great Shell Smash passer, capable of boosting Ludicolo's offensive presence to terrifying levels while also getting a Swift Swim boost if the rain is up. Clerics like Lanturn and Aromatisse can keep Ludicolo free of status, ensuring that paralysis doesn't cut its sweep short. Slow users of Volt Switch, U-turn, and Parting Shot, such as Pangoro and Eelektross, and users of self-KO moves, such as Accelgor and dual screens Uxie, are great for getting Ludicolo in safely. Thunder users such as Jolteon, Heliolisk, Rotom-C, and the aforementioned Eelektross benefit from the rain, receiving 100% accuracy on said move. Finally, entry hazards are incredibly useful for Ludicolo, most notably Spikes as they can wear down grounded walls such as specially defensive Ludicolo and Roselia. This makes the aforementioned Accelgor and Omastar amazing teammates for Ludicolo.

Other Options
########

Ludicolo has a wide movepool, giving it plenty of potential roles. However, it is outclassed in the vast majority of these roles by other Pokemon. Choice Specs is a decent option to ease prediction on switches, but Ludicolo needs the ability to switch moves to reliably sweep. An Assault Vest set with Giga Drain, Scald, Ice Beam, and either Hidden Power Fire or Focus Blast might seem appealing due to Ludicolo's high Special Defense and access to STAB Giga Drain and Rain Dish for recovery. However, such a set loses out on the power of Life Orb and the utility of Swift Swim, so it is not recommended. Energy Ball is a more powerful alternative to Giga Drain, but it doesn't gain any notable KOs, and Ludicolo needs Giga Drain to maintain its longevity. A Swords Dance set can be used to catch Ludicolo's usual checks off-guard, but such a set is too reliant on a boost and its surprise value to be viable. Similarly, Ludicolo can use a mixed Hone Claws set with Hydro Pump, Seed Bomb, and one of Drain Punch, Ice Punch or Rain Dance to patch up Hydro Pump's low accuracy, but such a set is gimmicky at best and thus not recommended. A defensive SubSeed set can work as Ludicolo can recover as much as 25% of its max health every turn with Leftovers, Rain Dish, and Leech Seed recovery, but rain stall isn't a very good strategy—especially without permanent weather.

Checks and Counters
########

**Special Walls**: Amoonguss eats Ludicolo's STAB moves for breakfast and can threaten it back with a STAB Sludge Bomb or Clear Smog. Similarly, specially defensive Registeel and Roselia can wall Ludicolo's STAB moves and the former can also cripple it with Thunder Wave.

**Fletchinder**: While it can't switch into Ludicolo directly without good prediction and luring, Fletchinder can OHKO Ludicolo with an unboosted Acrobatics and ignores Swift Swim with Gale Wings.

**Abomasnow**: Abomasnow resists Ludicolo's STAB attacks and doesn't give a hoot about Ice Beam while clearing Ludicolo's rain. It can even change the weather twice in a row if it hasn't Mega Evolved yet.

**Speed Boost Yanmega**: Yanmega can outpace Ludicolo in the rain after two turns in due to Speed Boost and OHKO it with a STAB Bug Buzz.

**Paralysis**: Ludicolo despises paralysis as this quarters its speed and neuters its offensive presence. This makes Thunder Wave users, such as Registeel, problematic for it.

**Other Forms of Speed Control**: Ludicolo's main niche offensively is Swift Swim, but Trick Room from the likes of Cofagrigus and Reuniclus flips this right on its head. Sticky Web prevents Ludicolo from outpacing the Choice Scarf users that it normally can, although this isn't always an issue for Ludicolo as Sticky Web teams tend to be rather slow in general. Weather setters like Uxie and Liepard can easily stop Ludicolo from sweeping by using Sunny Day, killing Ludicolo's momentum by forcing it to use Rain Dance or switch out.

**Residual Damage**: Entry hazards and status are big issues for Ludicolo as they hurt its already average longevity by wearing it down. Burns and Toxic are nightmares for Ludicolo because of this.

**Priority**: Powerful users of priority moves, such as Zoroark and Hitmonlee, can easily cut Ludicolo's sweep short with Sucker Punch or Mach Punch, respectively.
 
Last edited:
Alright QC discussed this on IRC, and we think that both the SD set and the AV set should be moved to other options, and that Rain Dance should be the only set listed.

For the RD set: in usage tips, you need to give more than just play conservatively and play precisely. Stuff like Ludicolo is able to set up on bulky waters like Alomomola and Slowking, or on switches it forces like Rhyperior and Gligar. Remove HP Fire and Focus Blast from the moves section as they aren't mentioned in the set, and HP Fire is definitely not a good option in the rain. Sticky Web itself is not actually a good response to Ludicolo, as most sticky web teams lack a scarfer, and at -1 in the rain, it is still faster than almost all Pokemon found commonly on sticky web teams. In teammate options, remove Kabutops as a potential rain setter, and instead add it as a rain sweeper that can work with Ludi to take out the opponents team. Good rain dance setters aside from Volbeat include stuff like Uxie and Meowstic-male. Remove the line about hazard removers, as none of those pokemon fit well on the type of team Ludicolo will be on, and Ludicolo isn't the type of pokemon that demands hazard clearing as it shouldn't be switching in /that/ often.

In Checks and Counters: Walls like Amoonguss, needs to be more specific, specially defensive pokemon that are not weak to Ludicolo's STABs are the best Counters, along with Abomasnow. Specially Defensive Registeel, Roselia, and Amoonguss are good choices for this.
 
atomicllamas said:
Alright QC discussed this on IRC, and we think that both the SD set and the AV set should be moved to other options, and that Rain Dance should be the only set listed.

For the RD set: in usage tips, you need to give more than just play conservatively and play precisely. Stuff like Ludicolo is able to set up on bulky waters like Alomomola and Slowking, or on switches it forces like Rhyperior and Gligar. Remove HP Fire and Focus Blast from the moves section as they aren't mentioned in the set, and HP Fire is definitely not a good option in the rain. Sticky Web itself is not actually a good response to Ludicolo, as most sticky web teams lack a scarfer, and at -1 in the rain, it is still faster than almost all Pokemon found commonly on sticky web teams. In teammate options, remove Kabutops as a potential rain setter, and instead add it as a rain sweeper that can work with Ludi to take out the opponents team. Good rain dance setters aside from Volbeat include stuff like Uxie and Meowstic-male. Remove the line about hazard removers, as none of those pokemon fit well on the type of team Ludicolo will be on, and Ludicolo isn't the type of pokemon that demands hazard clearing as it shouldn't be switching in /that/ often.

In Checks and Counters: Walls like Amoonguss, needs to be more specific, specially defensive pokemon that are not weak to Ludicolo's STABs are the best Counters, along with Abomasnow. Specially Defensive Registeel, Roselia, and Amoonguss are good choices for this.
Click to expand...
Ok. Implememted changes.
 
Alright, I'll give this one a full look:

[Overview]

- Not sure what you're getting at on the longevity point. Giga Drain keeps it in pretty decent health most of the time

[Swift Swim Sweeper]

- Mention Damp Rock for longer lasting Rain. LO is generally superior though.
- Ice Beam is pretty damn important. It hits Grass-types, you know, the Pokemon that resist Ludi's STAB combo. Make sure to include that.
- Mention specific Flying-type resists. (Kabutops, Omastar, Jolteon, Heliolisk, etc.)
- Replace Meowstic-M mention with Liepard
- Thunder users to beat Flying-types and still take advantage of rain. Jolteon, Heliolisk, Rotom-C, etc.
- Mention Uxie can double as a Rocks and Rain setter
- Volbeat won't have the moveslots to pass boosts to Ludicolo. Gorebyss does though, and it too has Swift Swim

[Checks and Counters]

- Priority from Zoroark or Hitmonlee can end a sweep short
- Remove Weather control, or at least put it alongside the Abomasnow mention
- Add Sticky Web to Speed control

Let me know when you've implemented these changes gamer boy, and I'll come back to look again (probably with a Check)
 
Spikes users in Team Options for grounded SpDef stuff like Registeel and Roselia, probably where you mention general hazard setters. Omastar and Accelgor are good. This looks fine otherwise gamer boy. If I missed anything, the rest of QC can take care of it.

QC Approved 1/3
 
Deletions
Additions / Corrections
Comments

Overview
########

Everyone's favorite Mexican duck is back, and in full force in RU. Being one of those few Pokemon which will do work in whatever tier it is chucked into, Ludicolo has always been one of those things which are feared when under the correct circumstances, but it is often overlooked due to it being fairly situatitonal. Its main saving grace, however, While its usage in the upper tiers is fairly situational, Ludicolo's saving grace in RU is its brilliant typing, which gives it all sorts of help both offensively, being a standard rain team's best offensive check to Gastrodon, and defensively, giving it neutralities to the Grass- and Electric-type moves which would otherwise that plague rain teams and giving it an immunities to Spore, Sleep Powder and Stun Spore, making it harder to inflict status onto than ever a staple on rain teams. It has an amazing ability in Swift Swim, which lets it outpace under the rain literally every unboosted Pokemon in the tier aside from post-Unburden Accelgor and Hitmonlee, as well as all Choice Scarf users aside from barring Cinccino and Timid variants of Delphox. This is a big boon for Ludicolo as it is suddenly a powerhouse which is incredibly difficult to stop. Its stats are good for RU and it has been blessed with a fairly wide movepool. Furthermore, Ludicolo is a great switch-in against Amoonguss that most rain teams will get given a bit of prediction as it is immune to Spore due to the Grass-type buff with the generation shift, and is now even harder to paralyze than it was before due to now being immune to Stun Spore. In conjunction with its decent Special Attack, good special bulk, and fairly wide movepool, this makes Ludicolo a powerful rain sweeper that acts a great check to defensive threats such as Gastrodon and Amoonguss. However, our Mexican pineapple isn't without flaws. First of all, it can only stay in and KO weakened Amoonguss, which hurts one of its bigger niches on rain teams, and it is OHKOed by unboosted Fletchinder's priority Acrobatics, meaning that it the latter can come in and easily revenge kill Ludicolo due to Gale Wings. Additionally, Ludicolo is weak to the ever-present U-turn, hurting its longevity somewhat, (not sure what you mean here ... any Pokemon that is weak to a common move loses out longevity doubtless, no need to state the obvious. It's enough to mention the longevity part in the next sentence alongside the part about status) and it absolutely despises status, which dispises status as it wears Ludicolo down very quickly in conjunction with Life Orb recoil or, as in the case of paralysis (the status that Ludicolo fears the most), removes most of Ludicolo's neuters its sweeping capabilities. However, if you look past these flaws, Ludicolo is a very threatening Pokemon, and one that must not be underestimated.

(All right, there was so much fluff here... stick to the point when you're writing an Overview. You don't need to mention a Pokemon's past or go in-depth on how it works; leave it to other sections such as Usage Tips. )

Swift Swim Sweeper
########
name: Swift Swim Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance
ability: Swift Swim
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

Hydro Pump is Ludicolo's main STAB move, being monstrous under the rain and gaining OHKOs and 2HKOs on most Pokemon which don't resist it: making OHKOing or 2HKOing in the rain almost anything that doesn't resist it; this makes it easy to spam. However, it is fairly inaccurate, so Surf can be used if you prefer accuracy over power. Please note, however, that Surf is more reliant on rain than Hydro Pump to deal heavy damage, so only run it on fully-dedicated rain teams. Giga Drain is the Grass-type STAB move of choice, healing Ludicolo and giving it some kind of longevity. This works well alongside Life Orb as it negates the recoil somewhat, and it also helps Ludicolo deal with poison or burn for a little longer before being forced out. Ice Beam is absolutely necessary for Ludicolo to deal with opposing Grass-types which that resist Ludicolo's its STAB combination, as well as Druddigon. Furthermore, it is Ludicolo's best bet at dealing with Druddigon - something which Ludicolo couldn't even dream of handling before. This gives Ludicolo perfect neutral coverage against all relevant Pokemon. Finally, Rain Dance is a necessity for Ludicolo as it lets it set up rain and continue its sweep. You could use Focus Blast over Rain Dance for Ludicolo to hit Abomasnow and Ferroseed hard on the switch-in, but those are its only targets, and it is far too inaccurate to be recommended; and Ludicolo is also pretty reliant on Rain Dance to sweep as there is no Drizzle Politoed to set up rain for it.

Set Details
========

The EVs are incredibly simple, maximizing Ludicolo's power and Speed, while giving Ludicolo it a Stealth Rock HP number. Modest is used to maximize Ludicolo's power, and as Timid isn't needed to outpace anything notable outside of Choice Scarf Cinccino and Timid Choice Scarf Delphox, meaning that Ludicolo doesn't need the extra speed that Timid provides. Swift Swim is chosen in order to give Ludicolo the terrifying speed stat that it is feared so much for. Life Orb is the preferred item for Ludicolo as it can't afford to be locked into a move with Choice Specs and it needs the power boost to deal huge damage with its coverage moves. Ludicolo could improve its longevity with Leftovers, which looks great on paper due to its high base 100 special defense stat. However, Ludicolo needs the power boost that Life Orb provides to deal worthwhile damage with its coverage moves. Leftovers might look great on paper to improve Ludicolo's longevity, especially when you consider its excellent special bulk, but Ludicolo can't do without the power boost Life Orb provides due to its middling Special Attack.

Usage Tips
========

Make sure to play Ludicolo conservatively, (add comma) as it can't afford to take too many hits while switching in, while its longevity is decent due to Giga Drain and its high special defense, it doesn't have the best longevity in the world Giga Drain and good special bulk notwithstanding. Try and keep it away from Toxic as it will force Ludicolo out very quickly, and in cases where you Ludicolo does get hit by status, (add comma) try and clear it up fairly quickly with Heal Bell or Aromatherapy. However, this shouldn't come at the cost of momentum; the additional residual damage will be worth it if Ludicolo can take down another Pokemon or two but try to not kill your momentum in the process as Ludicolo needs all the momentum it can get when it comes in. Try and bring Ludicolo is best brought in on a slow U-turn, Volt Switch, (add comma) or Parting Shot or after another Pokemon on your team has fainted so as to preserve Ludicolo's its HP as best as possible. Offensively, make sure to play Ludicolo with precision: (remove colon) i.e., land all of your predictions, as Ludicolo can't afford to be using resisted hits too often, although you will find yourself it spamming Hydro Pump most of the time anyway. Try and keep any other rain setters on the same team as Ludicolo conscious as a switch into rain means that Ludicolo doesn't need to spend a turn setting up with Rain Dance, helping it maintain momentum It is also advisable to keep teammates that can set up rain healthy so that Ludicolo needn't waste a turn on Rain Dance. Furthermore, Ludicolo has an easy job setting up on bulky Water-types, so try and do that if Ludicolo can sweep the opposing team when Toxic is expected, or if they don't pack Toxic just set up and get going: they can't touch you even if you can't sweep the entire opposing team Ludicolo walls most bulky Water-types cold, so it can switch in on the same to set up Rain Dance, even if it gets hit with Toxic in the process; in any case, if Ludicolo can't sweep yet, a fellow rain attacker can make use of the rain to soften up Ludicolo's counters or pull off a sweep itself.

Team Options
========

Ludicolo works well on hyper offense, bulky offensive, (add comma) and balanced teams. Build around it accordingly to maximize the success that Ludicolo it can achieve. Pokemon that resist Flying, such as Omastar, Kabutops, and Registeel,-type resistances are useful to prevent Fletchinder from taking out Ludicolo, making Omastar, Kabotops and Registeel incredibly useful. The former two also have great synergy with Ludicolo, benefiting from the rain due to with their own Swift Swim, helping and thus keeping up offensive pressure. Rain setters like Volbeat, Liepard, (add comma) and Uxie are great partners for Ludicolo, with the former also being able to Baton Pass Tail Glow boosts to Ludicolo, increasing its offensive presence. On the topic of Speaking about Baton Pass, Gorebyss is a great Smash Passer, capable of boosting Ludicolo's offensive presence to terrifying levels while also getting Swift Swim boosts if the rain is up. Clerics like Lanturn and Aromatisse are capable of clearing the dreaded status, most notably clearing Paralysis and returning Ludicolo's offensive presence can keep Ludicolo free of status, ensuring that paralysis doesn't cut short its sweep. Slow users of Volt Switch, U-turn, (add comma) and Parting Shot, such as Pangoro and Eelektross, and users of self-KO moves, such as Accelgor and dual screens Uxie, are great for getting Ludicolo in safely. Users of Thunder like the Thunder users such as Jolteon, Heliolisk, Rotom-C, (add comma) and the aforementioned Eelectross benefit from the rain, gaining 100% accuracy on said move. Finally, entry hazards are incredibly useful for Ludicolo, especially Spikes as it can catch grounded Pokemon like specially defensive Registeel and Roselia on the switch for heavy damage as they can wear down grounded walls such as specially defensive Ludicolo and Roselia. This makes the aforementioned Accelgor and Omastar amazing teammates for Ludicolo.

Other Options
########

Ludicolo has a wide movepool, giving it plenty of options that it can run. However, it is outclassed in the vast majority of these roles by other Pokemon. Choice Specs is a decent option to ease prediction on switches, but Ludicolo needs the ability to switch moves to reliably sweep. An Assault Vest set with Giga Drain, Scald, Ice Beam, (add comma) and either Hidden Power Fire or Focus Blast, depending on the build of the team, seems appealing due to Ludicolo's access to STAB Giga Drain, high Special Defense, and Rain Dish for recovery. However, it misses the power of Life Orb and the utility of Swift Swim, so it is not recommended. Energy Ball is a more powerful alternative to Giga Drain, but it doesn't gain any notable KOs, (add comma) and Ludicolo needs Giga Drain to maintain its longevity. A Swords Dance set could be used to catch Ludicolo's usual checks off-guard, but it is too reliant on a boost and its surprise value to be viable to be recommended, and it is easy to check once the opposition know that it is physical. Similarly, Ludicolo could use a mixed Hone Claws set with Hydro Pump, Seed Bomb, (add comma) and one of Drain Punch, Ice Punch or Rain Dance to patch up Hydro Pump's low accuracy, but it is gimmicky at best and, as such, not recommended. A defensive SubSeed set could work as Ludicolo can recover as much as 25% of its maximum health every turn with Leftovers, Rain Dish, (add comma) and Leech Seed recovery, but rain stall isn't a very good strategy —especially without permanent weather. Finally, Ludicolo gets Own Tempo, but its main niche was lost when Swagger got banned.

Checks and Counters
########

**Special Walls**: Amoonguss eats Ludicolo's STAB moves for breakfast and can threaten back with a STAB Sludge Bomb or Clear Smog. Similarly, specially defensive Registeel and Roselia can wall Ludicolo's STAB moves, and the former can also cripple it back with Thunder Wave.

**Fletchinder**: While it can't switch into Ludicolo directly without good prediction and luring, it can OHKO Ludicolo with an unboosted Acrobatics and ignores Swift Swim with Gale Wings.

**Abomasnow**: Abomasnow resists Ludicolo's STAB attacks and doesn't give a hoot about Ice Beam while clearing Ludicolo's rain. Abomasnow It can even kill Ludicolo's momentum twice in a row if it hasn't Mega Evolved yet.

**Speed Boost Yanmega**: Yanmega is can outpace Swift Swim-boosted Ludicolo in the rain after a few two turns in due to Speed Boost and can OHKO Ludicolo back with STAB Bug Buzz.

**Paralysis**: Ludicolo despises paralysis as it this quarters its speed, removing the majority of and neuters its offensive presence, making This makes users of Thunder Wave users like such as Registeel big issues for Ludicolo. (remember, you are supposed to write C&C from the perspective of someone looking to counter it, not the person using Ludicolo.)

**Other Forms of Speed Control**: Ludicolo's main niche offensively is Swift Swim, but Trick Room from the likes of Coffagrigus and Reuniclus flips this right on its head. Sticky Web prevents Ludicolo from outpacing the scarfers Choice Scarf users that it did before, although this isn't always an issue as Sticky Web teams tend to be rather slow as it is. Opposing weather setters like Uxie and Liepard can easily stop Ludicolo from sweeping by using psuedo-Speed control in the form of Sunny Day, killing Ludicolo's momentum by forcing it to use Rain Dance or to switch out.

**Residual Damage**: Entry hazards and status are big issues for Ludicolo as they hurt its already average longevity by wearing it down. In particular, Scald burns and Toxic are nightmares for Ludicolo due to this.

**Priority**: Powerful users of priority, such as Zoroark and Hitmonlee, can easily cut Ludicolo's sweep short with Sucker Punch or Mach Punch, respectively.

This was pretty poor in parts, especially the Overview: do go through my changes and implement them carefully!

contrib_gp.png


GP 1 / 2
 
Last edited:
Calm Pokemaster said:
Deletions
Additions / Corrections
Comments

Overview
########

Everyone's favorite Mexican duck is back, and in full force in RU. Being one of those few Pokemon which will do work in whatever tier it is chucked into, Ludicolo has always been one of those things which are feared when under the correct circumstances, but it is often overlooked due to it being fairly situatitonal. Its main saving grace, however, While its usage in the upper tiers is fairly situational, Ludicolo's saving grace in RU is its brilliant typing, which gives it all sorts of help both offensively, being a standard rain team's best offensive check to Gastrodon, and defensively, giving it neutralities to the Grass- and Electric-type moves which would otherwise that plague rain teams and giving it an immunities to Spore, Sleep Powder and Stun Spore, making it harder to inflict status onto than ever a staple on rain teams. It has an amazing ability in Swift Swim, which lets it outpace under the rain literally every unboosted Pokemon in the tier aside from post-Unburden Accelgor and Hitmonlee, as well as all Choice Scarf users aside from barring Cinccino and Timid variants of Delphox. This is a big boon for Ludicolo as it is suddenly a powerhouse which is incredibly difficult to stop. Its stats are good for RU and it has been blessed with a fairly wide movepool. Furthermore, Ludicolo is a great switch-in against Amoonguss that most rain teams will get given a bit of prediction as it is immune to Spore due to the Grass-type buff with the generation shift, and is now even harder to paralyze than it was before due to now being immune to Stun Spore. In conjunction with its decent Special Attack, good special bulk, and fairly wide movepool, this makes Ludicolo a powerful rain sweeper that acts a great check to defensive threats such as Gastrodon and Amoonguss. However, our Mexican pineapple isn't without flaws. First of all, it can only stay in and KO weakened Amoonguss, which hurts one of its bigger niches on rain teams, and it is OHKOed by unboosted Fletchinder's priority Acrobatics, meaning that it the latter can come in and easily revenge kill Ludicolo due to Gale Wings. Additionally, Ludicolo is weak to the ever-present U-turn, hurting its longevity somewhat, (not sure what you mean here ... any Pokemon that is weak to a common move loses out longevity doubtless, no need to state the obvious. It's enough to mention the longevity part in the next sentence alongside the part about status) and it absolutely despises status, which dispises status as it wears Ludicolo down very quickly in conjunction with Life Orb recoil or, as in the case of paralysis (the status that Ludicolo fears the most), removes most of Ludicolo's neuters its sweeping capabilities. However, if you look past these flaws, Ludicolo is a very threatening Pokemon, and one that must not be underestimated.

(All right, there was so much fluff here... stick to the point when you're writing an Overview. You don't need to mention a Pokemon's past or go in-depth on how it works; leave it to other sections such as Usage Tips. )

Swift Swim Sweeper
########
name: Swift Swim Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance
ability: Swift Swim
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

Hydro Pump is Ludicolo's main STAB move, being monstrous under the rain and gaining OHKOs and 2HKOs on most Pokemon which don't resist it: making OHKOing or 2HKOing in the rain almost anything that doesn't resist it; this makes it easy to spam. However, it is fairly inaccurate, so Surf can be used if you prefer accuracy over power. Please note, however, that Surf is more reliant on rain than Hydro Pump to deal heavy damage, so only run it on fully-dedicated rain teams. Giga Drain is the Grass-type STAB move of choice, healing Ludicolo and giving it some kind of longevity. This works well alongside Life Orb as it negates the recoil somewhat, and it also helps Ludicolo deal with poison or burn for a little longer before being forced out. Ice Beam is absolutely necessary for Ludicolo to deal with opposing Grass-types which that resist Ludicolo's its STAB combination, as well as Druddigon. Furthermore, it is Ludicolo's best bet at dealing with Druddigon - something which Ludicolo couldn't even dream of handling before. This gives Ludicolo perfect neutral coverage against all relevant Pokemon. Finally, Rain Dance is a necessity for Ludicolo as it lets it set up rain and continue its sweep. You could use Focus Blast over Rain Dance for Ludicolo to hit Abomasnow and Ferroseed hard on the switch-in, but those are its only targets, and it is far too inaccurate to be recommended; and Ludicolo is also pretty reliant on Rain Dance to sweep as there is no Drizzle Politoed to set up rain for it.

Set Details
========

The EVs are incredibly simple, maximizing Ludicolo's power and Speed, while giving Ludicolo it a Stealth Rock HP number. Modest is used to maximize Ludicolo's power, and as Timid isn't needed to outpace anything notable outside of Choice Scarf Cinccino and Timid Choice Scarf Delphox, meaning that Ludicolo doesn't need the extra speed that Timid provides. Swift Swim is chosen in order to give Ludicolo the terrifying speed stat that it is feared so much for. Life Orb is the preferred item for Ludicolo as it can't afford to be locked into a move with Choice Specs and it needs the power boost to deal huge damage with its coverage moves. Ludicolo could improve its longevity with Leftovers, which looks great on paper due to its high base 100 special defense stat. However, Ludicolo needs the power boost that Life Orb provides to deal worthwhile damage with its coverage moves. Leftovers might look great on paper to improve Ludicolo's longevity, especially when you consider its excellent special bulk, but Ludicolo can't do without the power boost Life Orb provides due to its middling Special Attack.

Usage Tips
========

Make sure to play Ludicolo conservatively, (add comma) as it can't afford to take too many hits while switching in, while its longevity is decent due to Giga Drain and its high special defense, it doesn't have the best longevity in the world Giga Drain and good special bulk notwithstanding. Try and keep it away from Toxic as it will force Ludicolo out very quickly, and in cases where you Ludicolo does get hit by status, (add comma) try and clear it up fairly quickly with Heal Bell or Aromatherapy. However, this shouldn't come at the cost of momentum; the additional residual damage will be worth it if Ludicolo can take down another Pokemon or two but try to not kill your momentum in the process as Ludicolo needs all the momentum it can get when it comes in. Try and bring Ludicolo is best brought in on a slow U-turn, Volt Switch, (add comma) or Parting Shot or after another Pokemon on your team has fainted so as to preserve Ludicolo's its HP as best as possible. Offensively, make sure to play Ludicolo with precision: (remove colon) i.e., land all of your predictions, as Ludicolo can't afford to be using resisted hits too often, although you will find yourself it spamming Hydro Pump most of the time anyway. Try and keep any other rain setters on the same team as Ludicolo conscious as a switch into rain means that Ludicolo doesn't need to spend a turn setting up with Rain Dance, helping it maintain momentum It is also advisable to keep teammates that can set up rain healthy so that Ludicolo needn't waste a turn on Rain Dance. Furthermore, Ludicolo has an easy job setting up on bulky Water-types, so try and do that if Ludicolo can sweep the opposing team when Toxic is expected, or if they don't pack Toxic just set up and get going: they can't touch you even if you can't sweep the entire opposing team Ludicolo walls most bulky Water-types cold, so it can switch in on the same to set up Rain Dance, even if it gets hit with Toxic in the process; in any case, if Ludicolo can't sweep yet, a fellow rain attacker can make use of the rain to soften up Ludicolo's counters or pull off a sweep itself.

Team Options
========

Ludicolo works well on hyper offense, bulky offensive, (add comma) and balanced teams. Build around it accordingly to maximize the success that Ludicolo it can achieve. Pokemon that resist Flying, such as Omastar, Kabutops, and Registeel,-type resistances are useful to prevent Fletchinder from taking out Ludicolo, making Omastar, Kabotops and Registeel incredibly useful. The former two also have great synergy with Ludicolo, benefiting from the rain due to with their own Swift Swim, helping and thus keeping up offensive pressure. Rain setters like Volbeat, Liepard, (add comma) and Uxie are great partners for Ludicolo, with the former also being able to Baton Pass Tail Glow boosts to Ludicolo, increasing its offensive presence. On the topic of Speaking about Baton Pass, Gorebyss is a great Smash Passer, capable of boosting Ludicolo's offensive presence to terrifying levels while also getting Swift Swim boosts if the rain is up. Clerics like Lanturn and Aromatisse are capable of clearing the dreaded status, most notably clearing Paralysis and returning Ludicolo's offensive presence can keep Ludicolo free of status, ensuring that paralysis doesn't cut short its sweep. Slow users of Volt Switch, U-turn, (add comma) and Parting Shot, such as Pangoro and Eelektross, and users of self-KO moves, such as Accelgor and dual screens Uxie, are great for getting Ludicolo in safely. Users of Thunder like the Thunder users such as Jolteon, Heliolisk, Rotom-C, (add comma) and the aforementioned Eelectross benefit from the rain, gaining 100% accuracy on said move. Finally, entry hazards are incredibly useful for Ludicolo, especially Spikes as it can catch grounded Pokemon like specially defensive Registeel and Roselia on the switch for heavy damage as they can wear down grounded walls such as specially defensive Ludicolo and Roselia. This makes the aforementioned Accelgor and Omastar amazing teammates for Ludicolo.

Other Options
########

Ludicolo has a wide movepool, giving it plenty of options that it can run. However, it is outclassed in the vast majority of these roles by other Pokemon. Choice Specs is a decent option to ease prediction on switches, but Ludicolo needs the ability to switch moves to reliably sweep. An Assault Vest set with Giga Drain, Scald, Ice Beam, (add comma) and either Hidden Power Fire or Focus Blast, depending on the build of the team, seems appealing due to Ludicolo's access to STAB Giga Drain, high Special Defense, and Rain Dish for recovery. However, it misses the power of Life Orb and the utility of Swift Swim, so it is not recommended. Energy Ball is a more powerful alternative to Giga Drain, but it doesn't gain any notable KOs, (add comma) and Ludicolo needs Giga Drain to maintain its longevity. A Swords Dance set could be used to catch Ludicolo's usual checks off-guard, but it is too reliant on a boost and its surprise value to be viable to be recommended, and it is easy to check once the opposition know that it is physical. Similarly, Ludicolo could use a mixed Hone Claws set with Hydro Pump, Seed Bomb, (add comma) and one of Drain Punch, Ice Punch or Rain Dance to patch up Hydro Pump's low accuracy, but it is gimmicky at best and, as such, not recommended. A defensive SubSeed set could work as Ludicolo can recover as much as 25% of its maximum health every turn with Leftovers, Rain Dish, (add comma) and Leech Seed recovery, but rain stall isn't a very good strategy —especially without permanent weather. Finally, Ludicolo gets Own Tempo, but its main niche was lost when Swagger got banned.

Checks and Counters
########

**Special Walls**: Amoonguss eats Ludicolo's STAB moves for breakfast and can threaten back with a STAB Sludge Bomb or Clear Smog. Similarly, specially defensive Registeel and Roselia can wall Ludicolo's STAB moves, and the former can also cripple it back with Thunder Wave.

**Fletchinder**: While it can't switch into Ludicolo directly without good prediction and luring, it can OHKO Ludicolo with an unboosted Acrobatics and ignores Swift Swim with Gale Wings.

**Abomasnow**: Abomasnow resists Ludicolo's STAB attacks and doesn't give a hoot about Ice Beam while clearing Ludicolo's rain. Abomasnow It can even kill Ludicolo's momentum twice in a row if it hasn't Mega Evolved yet.

**Speed Boost Yanmega**: Yanmega is can outpace Swift Swim-boosted Ludicolo in the rain after a few two turns in due to Speed Boost and can OHKO Ludicolo back with STAB Bug Buzz.

**Paralysis**: Ludicolo despises paralysis as it this quarters its speed, removing the majority of and neuters its offensive presence, making This makes users of Thunder Wave users like such as Registeel big issues for Ludicolo. (remember, you are supposed to write C&C from the perspective of someone looking to counter it, not the person using Ludicolo.)

**Other Forms of Speed Control**: Ludicolo's main niche offensively is Swift Swim, but Trick Room from the likes of Coffagrigus and Reuniclus flips this right on its head. Sticky Web prevents Ludicolo from outpacing the scarfers Choice Scarf users that it did before, although this isn't always an issue as Sticky Web teams tend to be rather slow as it is. Opposing weather setters like Uxie and Liepard can easily stop Ludicolo from sweeping by using psuedo-Speed control in the form of Sunny Day, killing Ludicolo's momentum by forcing it to use Rain Dance or to switch out.

**Residual Damage**: Entry hazards and status are big issues for Ludicolo as they hurt its already average longevity by wearing it down. In particular, Scald burns and Toxic are nightmares for Ludicolo due to this.

**Priority**: Powerful users of priority, such as Zoroark and Hitmonlee, can easily cut Ludicolo's sweep short with Sucker Punch or Mach Punch, respectively.

This was pretty poor in parts, especially the Overview: do go through my changes and implement them carefully!

contrib_gp.png


GP 1 / 2
Click to expand...
Implemented. Thanks for the check!
 
gamer boy

I noticed that you didn't implement a lot of the sentences that Calm Pokemaster had added/restructured. What you choose to implement is up to you, but I strongly recommend implementing those.

add/change
remove
comments
Overview
########

While its usage in the upper tiers is fairly situational, Ludicolo's saving grace in RU is its brilliant typing, which gives it neutralities to the Grass- and Electric-type moves that plague rain teams and immunities to Spore, Sleep Powder and Stun Spore, making it a staple on rain teams. It has an amazing ability in Swift Swim, which lets it outpace literally every unboosted Pokemon in the tier when under the rain aside from post-Unburden Accelgor and Hitmonlee, as well as all Choice Scarf users barring Cinccino and Timid variants of Delphox when under the rain. In conjunction with its decent Special Attack, good special bulk, and fairly wide movepool, this makes Ludicolo a powerful rain sweeper that acts a great check to defensive threats such as Gastrodon and Amoonguss. However, our Mexican pineapple isn't without flaws. First of all, it can only stay in and KO weakened Amoonguss, which hurts one of its bigger niches on rain teams, and it is OHKOed by unboosted Fletchinder's priority Acrobatics, meaning that Fletchinder can come in and easily revenge kill Ludicolo. Additionally, Ludicolo is weak to the ever-present U-turn, and it absolutely despises status, which hinders its sweeping capabilities. (I think you should remove the mentions of Amoonguss here. I don't know much about RU, but doesn't Amoonguss normally carry a Poison-type move? Also, if Ludicolo can only KO weakened ones, and only with a coverage move, it definitely isn't worth mentioning here IMO.)

Swift Swim Sweeper
########
name: Swift Swim Sweeper
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rain Dance
ability: Swift Swim
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

Hydro Pump is Ludicolo's main STAB move, OHKOing or 2HKOing almost anything that doesn't resist it in the rain; this makes it easy to spam. However, it is fairly inaccurate, so Surf can be used if you prefer accuracy over power. Please note, however, that Surf is more reliant on rain than Hydro Pump to deal heavy damage, so it should only be used on dedicated rain teams. Giga Drain is the Grass-type STAB move of choice, healing Ludicolo and giving it some kind of longevity. This works well alongside Life Orb as it negates the recoil somewhat, and it also helps Ludicolo deal with poison or burn damage for a little longer before being forced out. Ice Beam is absolutely necessary for Ludicolo to deal with opposing Grass-types that resist its STAB combination, as well as Druddigon. This combination of attacks gives Ludicolo perfect neutral coverage against all relevant Pokemon. Finally, Rain Dance is a necessity for Ludicolo as it lets it set up rain and continue its sweep. You can use Focus Blast over Rain Dance for Ludicolo to hit Abomasnow and Ferroseed hard when they switch in, but those are its only targets, and it is far too inaccurate to be recommended; Ludicolo is very reliant on Rain Dance to sweep as there is no Drizzle Politoed to set up rain for it.

Set Details
========

The EVs are incredibly simple, maximizing Ludicolo's power and Speed, while giving it a Stealth Rock HP number. A Modest nature is used to maximize Ludicolo's power, (AC) as a Timid nature isn't needed to outpace anything notable outside of Choice Scarf Cinccino and Timid Choice Scarf Delphox. Life Orb is the preferred item for Ludicolo as it can't afford to be locked into a move with Choice Specs, (AC) and it needs the power boost to deal heavy damage with its coverage moves. Leftovers might look great on paper to improve Ludicolo's longevity, especially when you consider its excellent special bulk, but Ludicolo can't do without the power boost Life Orb provides due to its middling Special Attack. Similarly, Damp Rock can be used to give Ludicolo more turns to use the rain it summons, but it suffers from the same downfalls as Leftovers.

Usage Tips
========

Make sure to play Ludicolo conservatively, as Giga Drain and good special bulk in spite of this (What does this mean? Make sure you reword it lol). Try to keep it away from Toxic as it will force Ludicolo out very quickly, and in cases where Ludicolo does get hit by status, try to clear it up fairly quickly with Heal Bell or Aromatherapy, but try to not kill your momentum in the process as Ludicolo needs all the momentum it can get when it comes in. Try to bring Ludicolo in by means of a slow U-turn, Volt Switch or Parting Shot or after another Pokemon on your team has fainted so as to preserve Ludicolo's HP as best as possible. Offensively, make sure to play Ludicolo with precision: i.e. land all of your predictions. (If only it were that easy) Ludicolo can't afford to be using resisted attacks too often, although you will find yourself clicking Hydro Pump most of the time anyway. Try to keep any other rain setters on the same team as Ludicolo conscious, (AC) as a switch into rain means that Ludicolo doesn't need to spend a turn setting up with Rain Dance, which helps it maintain momentum. Furthermore, Ludicolo has an easy time setting up against bulky Water-types, so try to do that if Ludicolo can sweep the opposing team, even if it has to absorb a Toxic in the process. (I wasn't sure what this originally meant, but I'm guessing something like this)

Team Options
========

Ludicolo works well on hyper offense, bulky offensive, (AC) and balanced teams. Bulid around it accordingly to maximize the success that Ludicolo can achieve. Pokemon with a Flying-type resistance are useful to prevent Fletchinder from taking out Ludicolo, making Omastar, Kabutops, and Registeel incredibly useful. The former two also have great synergy with Ludicolo, as they benefit from the rain Ludicolo provides due to their own Swift Swim, which helps keep up offensive pressure. Rain setters like Volbeat, Liepard, (AC) and Uxie are great partners for Ludicolo. Volbeat can also Baton Pass Tail Glow boosts to Ludicolo, increasing its offensive presence. On the topic of Baton Pass, Gorebyss can pass Shell Smash to boost Ludicolo's offensive stats to terrifying levels while also getting a Swift Swim boost if the rain is up. Clerics like Lanturn and Aromatisse are capable of clearing the dreaded status, most notably paralysis, and restoring Ludicolo's offensive presence. Slow users of Volt Switch, U-turn and Parting Shot, such as Pangoro and Eelektross, and users of self-KO moves, such as Accelgor and dual screens Uxie, are great for getting Ludicolo in safely. Users of Thunder like the Jolteon, Heliolisk, Rotom-C, (AC) and the aforementioned Eelektross benefit from the rain, receiving 100% accuracy on said move. Finally, entry hazards are incredibly useful for Ludicolo, especially Spikes as it can catch grounded Pokemon including specially defensive Registeel and Roselia on the switch for heavy damage. This makes the aforementioned Accelgor and Omastar amazing teammates for Ludicolo.

Other Options
########

Ludicolo has a wide movepool, giving it plenty of potential roles. However, it is outclassed in the vast majority of these roles by other Pokemon. Choice Specs is a decent option to ease prediction on switches, but Ludicolo needs the ability to switch moves to reliably sweep. An Assault Vest set with Giga Drain, Scald, Ice Beam and either Hidden Power Fire or Focus Blast, depending on the build of the team, might seem appealing due to Ludicolo's high Special Defense and access to Giga Drain and Rain Dish for recovery. However, such a set loses out on the power of Life Orb and the utility of Swift Swim, so it is not recommended. Energy Ball is a more powerful alternative to Giga Drain, but it doesn't gain any notable KOs and Ludicolo needs Giga Drain to maintain its longevity. A Swords Dance set can be used to catch Ludicolo's usual checks off guard, but such a set is too reliant on a boost to be recommended, and it is easy to check once the opponent knows that Ludicolo's moveset is physical. Similarly, Ludicolo can use a mixed Hone Claws set with Hydro Pump, Seed Bomb and one of Drain Punch, Ice Punch or Rain Dance to patch up Hydro Pump's low accuracy, but such a set is gimmicky at best and thus not recommended. A defensive SubSeed set can work, (AC) as Ludicolo can recover as much as 25% of its max health every turn with Leftovers, Rain Dish, (AC) and Leech Seed recovery, but rain stall isn't a very good strategy—especially without permanent weather. Finally, Ludicolo gets Own Tempo, but its main niche was lost when Swagger got banned.

Checks and Counters
########

**Special Walls**: Amoonguss eats Ludicolo's STAB moves for breakfast and can threaten it with a STAB Sludge Bomb or Clear Smog. Similarly, specially defensive Registeel and Roselia can wall Ludicolo's STAB moves, and the former can cripple it back with Thunder Wave.

**Fletchinder**: While it can't switch into Ludicolo directly without good prediction and luring, Fletchinder can OHKO Ludicolo with an unboosted Acrobatics and ignores Swift Swim with Gale Wings.

**Abomasnow**: Abomasnow resists Ludicolo's STAB moves and doesn't give a hoot about Ice Beam while clearing Ludicolo's rain. Abomasnow can even change the weather twice in a row if it hasn't Mega Evolved yet.

**Speed Boost Yanmega**: Yanmega is can outpace Swift Swim-boosted Ludicolo after a few turns in due to Speed Boost and can OHKO Ludicolo back with a STAB Bug Buzz.

**Paralysis**: Ludicolo despises paralysis as it quarters its speed, removing the majority of its offensive presence. This makes users of Thunder Wave, such as Registeel, (AC) big issues for Ludicolo.

**Other Forms of Speed Control**: Ludicolo's main niche offensively is Swift Swim, but Trick Room from the likes of Cofagrigus and Reuniclus flips this right on its head. Sticky Web prevents Ludicolo from outpacing the Choice Scarf users that it normally can, although this isn't always an issue for Ludicolo as Sticky Web teams tend to be rather slow in general. Weather setters like Uxie and Liepard can easily stop Ludicolo from sweeping by using psuedo-speed control in the form of Sunny Day, killing Ludicolo's momentum by forcing it to use Rain Dance or to switch out.

**Residual Damage**: Entry hazards and status are big issues for Ludicolo as they hurt its already average longevity by wearing it down. Scald Burns and Toxic are nightmares for Ludicolo because of this.

**Priority**: Powerful users of priority moves, such as Zoroark and Hitmonlee, can easily cut Ludicolo's sweep short with Sucker Punch or Mach Punch, respectively.
GP 2/2
 
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I wouldn't mention U-turn weakness in overview. U-turn is typically carried by Pokemon that Ludicolo shouldn't be switching on or staying in against anyway (unless in rain), and those include Meloetta, Moltres, Yanmega, and.. Swellow I guess, but you get the point.
 
Muk said:
I noticed that you didn't implement a lot of the sentences that Calm Pokemaster had added/restructured. What you choose to implement is up to you, but I strongly recommend implementing those.
Click to expand...
oh crap he updated it mid-implement. No wonder. Will implement the rest of his then yours.

edit: Acutually, could you look over it again and re-check it? There were a lot of changes - particularly in the later "tabs" - so I feel that it will be better for the analysis if you look over it again. Sorry if this is inconvenient for you.
 
Last edited:
Arikado said:
I wouldn't mention U-turn weakness in overview. U-turn is typically carried by Pokemon that Ludicolo shouldn't be switching on or staying in against anyway (unless in rain), and those include Meloetta, Moltres, Yanmega, and.. Swellow I guess, but you get the point.
Click to expand...
I've somewhat reworded it as the fact that it is forced out by common users of the move shows it is a major flaw.
 
gamer boy said:
oh crap he updated it mid-implement. No wonder. Will implement the rest of his then yours.

edit: Acutually, could you look over it again and re-check it? There were a lot of changes - particularly in the later "tabs" - so I feel that it will be better for the analysis if you look over it again. Sorry if this is inconvenient for you.
Click to expand...

Based on a quick read, most of the original check can still be implemented (there are a few minor inconsistencies, but they shouldn't present much of a problem). I'll go over Usage Tips and Team Options again, though.
Usage Tips
========

Make sure to play Ludicolo conservatively, as it can't afford to take too many hits while switching in despite having Giga Drain and good special bulk. Try to keep it away from Toxic as it will force Ludicolo out very quickly, and in cases where Ludicolo does get hit by status, try to clear it up fairly quickly with Heal Bell or Aromatherapy. However, this shouldn't come at the cost of momentum; the additional residual damage will be worth it if Ludicolo can take down another Pokemon or two. Ludicolo is best brought in on a slow U-turn, Volt Switch, or Parting Shot or after another Pokemon on your team has fainted so as to preserve its HP as best as possible. Offensively, make sure to play Ludicolo with precision i.e., land all of your predictions, as Ludicolo can't afford to be using resisted hits too often, although you will find it spamming Hydro Pump most of the time anyway. It is also advisable to keep teammates that can set up rain healthy so that Ludicolo needn't waste a turn on Rain Dance. Furthermore, Ludicolo walls most bulky Water-types cold, so it can switch in on them to set up Rain Dance, even if it gets hit with Toxic in the process; in any case, if Ludicolo can't sweep yet, a fellow rain attacker can make use of the rain to soften up Ludicolo's counters or pull off a sweep itself.

Team Options
========

Ludicolo works well on hyper offense, bulky offensive, and balanced teams. Build around it accordingly to maximize the success that it can achieve. Pokemon that resist Flying, such as Omastar, Kabutops, and Registeel, are useful to prevent Fletchinder from taking out Ludicolo. The former two also have great synergy with Ludicolo, benefiting from the rain with their own Swift Swim and thus keeping up offensive pressure. Rain setters like Volbeat, Liepard, and Uxie are great partners for Ludicolo, with the former also being able to Baton Pass Tail Glow boosts. Speaking of Baton Pass, Gorebyss is a great Shell Smash passer, capable of boosting Ludicolo's offensive presence to terrifying levels while also getting a Swift Swim boost if the rain is up. Clerics like Lanturn and Aromatisse can keep Ludicolo free of status, ensuring that paralysis doesn't cut its sweep short. Slow users of Volt Switch, U-turn, and Parting Shot, such as Pangoro and Eelektross, and users of self-KO moves, such as Accelgor and dual screens Uxie, are great for getting Ludicolo in safely. Thunder users such as Jolteon, Heliolisk, Rotom-C, and the aforementioned Eelektross benefit from the rain, receiving 100% accuracy on said move. Finally, entry hazards are incredibly useful for Ludicolo, most notably Spikes as they can wear down grounded walls such as specially defensive Ludicolo and Roselia. This makes the aforementioned Accelgor and Omastar amazing teammates for Ludicolo.
If there's anything unclear (in terms of what to change) in any of the other parts, then let me know.
 
Last edited:
Muk said:
Based on a quick read, most of the original check can still be implemented (there are a few minor inconsistencies, but they shouldn't present much of a problem). I'll go over Usage Tips and Team Options again, though.
Usage Tips
========

Make sure to play Ludicolo conservatively, as it can't afford to take too many hits while switching in despite having Giga Drain and good special bulk. Try to keep it away from Toxic as it will force Ludicolo out very quickly, and in cases where Ludicolo does get hit by status, try to clear it up fairly quickly with Heal Bell or Aromatherapy. However, this shouldn't come at the cost of momentum; the additional residual damage will be worth it if Ludicolo can take down another Pokemon or two. Ludicolo is best brought in on a slow U-turn, Volt Switch, or Parting Shot or after another Pokemon on your team has fainted so as to preserve its HP as best as possible. Offensively, make sure to play Ludicolo with precision i.e., land all of your predictions, as Ludicolo can't afford to be using resisted hits too often, although you will find it spamming Hydro Pump most of the time anyway. It is also advisable to keep teammates that can set up rain healthy so that Ludicolo needn't waste a turn on Rain Dance. Furthermore, Ludicolo walls most bulky Water-types cold, so it can switch in on them to set up Rain Dance, even if it gets hit with Toxic in the process; in any case, if Ludicolo can't sweep yet, a fellow rain attacker can make use of the rain to soften up Ludicolo's counters or pull off a sweep itself.

Team Options
========

Ludicolo works well on hyper offense, bulky offensive, and balanced teams. Build around it accordingly to maximize the success that it can achieve. Pokemon that resist Flying, such as Omastar, Kabutops, and Registeel, are useful to prevent Fletchinder from taking out Ludicolo. The former two also have great synergy with Ludicolo, benefiting from the rain with their own Swift Swim and thus keeping up offensive pressure. Rain setters like Volbeat, Liepard, and Uxie are great partners for Ludicolo, with the former also being able to Baton Pass Tail Glow boosts. Speaking of Baton Pass, Gorebyss is a great Shell Smash passer, capable of boosting Ludicolo's offensive presence to terrifying levels while also getting a Swift Swim boost if the rain is up. Clerics like Lanturn and Aromatisse can keep Ludicolo free of status, ensuring that paralysis doesn't cut its sweep short. Slow users of Volt Switch, U-turn, and Parting Shot, such as Pangoro and Eelektross, and users of self-KO moves, such as Accelgor and dual screens Uxie, are great for getting Ludicolo in safely. Thunder users such as Jolteon, Heliolisk, Rotom-C, and the aforementioned Eelektross benefit from the rain, receiving 100% accuracy on said move. Finally, entry hazards are incredibly useful for Ludicolo, most notably Spikes as they can wear down grounded walls such as specially defensive Ludicolo and Roselia. This makes the aforementioned Accelgor and Omastar amazing teammates for Ludicolo.
If there's anything unclear (in terms of what to change) in any of the other parts, then let me know.
Click to expand...
Ok. I've implemented the respective sections from both checks, so this is done! Thanks for taking the time to recheck those sections.
 
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