Politoed has always been my favorite pokemon (see my profile picture...), so I was pleased when he received a huge boon in the form of Drizzle last gen. Throughout gen v, i barely used anything but rain teams, much to other player's displeasure, and I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I have to agree that the weather nerf was necessary, as it was becoming way to centralizing to the metagame. Although I don't always use rain anymore, I'm proud to say that I havent completely hopped off the rain bandwagon like everyone else. Anyways, here is my current rain team, which could really use some help.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Politoed, my favorite pokemon and a necessary component to most rain teams. Since I wanted to build a team around Politoed that abuses rain, I realized that a Damp Rock would be the best way to abuse rain to its maximum potential. Also, because Politoed needs to often switch in and out a lot, I figured that it would have to be defensive and have a good form of recovery to reliably set up rain. With that thought in mind, I went with Rest and Sleep Talk. This also allows Politoed to absorb status for my team, and not be a complete dead weight when asleep. Scald is an obvious choice, but I couldnt decide between Toxic and Perish Song. While Perish Song could be nice, I ended up choosing Toxic because when Politoed comes into battle my opponents usually switch into their best rain counter/water resist. Because of this, I usually Toxic with Politoed to wear down these threats faster and allow other members (such as Kingdra) to have an easier time sweeping later on. However, there are times when I wish I had Perish Song so I'm open to reconsider Politoed's moveset.
Big Bird (Tornadus-Therian) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Def
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Superpower
- U-turn
Being banished to Ubers last gen is a testimony to how powerful Tornadus-T is in the rain, boasting a 100% accurate STAB Hurricane. Tornadus-T also has a blazing fast 121 base speed and an amazing ability in Regenerator, which helps it ignore Life Orb recoil and negate Stealth Rock. The main reason I chose Tornadus-T for this team is because Hurricane can beat many bulky grass types who check or counter Kingdra and Politoed. Also, it works as a good pivot thanks to Regenerator and U-Turn, despite not being too bulky. Finally, I often use Tornadus-T as my lead because of its base 121 speed and U-Turn. Hurricane and U-Turn are clear choices, but the final two slots are open to debate. I went with Superpower to beat things like Tyranitar, Specially Defensive Heatran, and Blissey/Chansey who think they can sponge a Hurricane, while also having perfect accuracy. Finally, I chose Heat Wave over Knock Off to deal with Ferrothorn and Skarmory outside of the rain, mostly Ferrothorn since most of my team has trouble with him. Again, Im open to suggestions for Tornadus-T's moveset.
Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 SAtk / 248 HP / 8 Def
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
Ampharos was the last member added to my team, it replaced specs Keldeo because I had a serious weakness to Talonflame before hand. Ampharos can theaten some bulky waters who get in Kindra's way with a 100% accurate Thunder, or gain momentum with Volt Switch. Dragon Pulse is relaible in and out of rain and can hit some pokemon that resist Ampharos's electric STABs. I chose Focus Blast in the final slot to help deal with Ferrothorn if Tornadus-T went down, but I dont really need it and the accuracy hurts. Im thinking of replacing it with either Hidden Power Ice, Heal Bell, or possibly Agility. All in all Ampharos is a good lead and pivot, having nice bulk and a slow Volt Switch, however it could really use a reliable method of recovering. My team also has a serious Bisharp, Aegilash, and Rotom-Wash problems so I was thinking of replacing Ampharos.
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Defog
- Swords Dance
Scizor replaced Latias as my defogger and used to be my Mega before I started using Ampharos. Scizor is great at defogging, gaining momentum, pivoting, using priority, and supporting my team in general. All thr moves are fairly standard, except Swords Dance on a Defog set. I used to have Roost when using Mega Scizor, but I found normal Scizor to be slightly underwhelming in bulk and never able to reliabley take advantage of Roost. So, I switched Roost to Swords Dance because it is a little more useful, easily getting me to get t +2 on an obvious switch.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 44 Def / 252 HP / 212 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Leech Seed
Ferrothorn is here to provide hazards and wall annoying threats such as Azumarill and other bulky Water and grass types. I chose Gyro Ball almost specifally to stop Kyurem B from getting free subs on me. Besides, the only notable target of Power Whip is Rotom-W, who will either burn me or Volt Switch in my face. Thunder Wave and Leech Seed make Ferrothorn less prone to being set up on, although I'm considering getting rid of one of them for Spikes.
Kingdra @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 180 Spd / 252 SAtk / 76 Atk
Mild Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Draco Meteor
Kingdra is probably the best swift swimmer and an amazing cleaner and wall breaker. This set isnt quite standard, and 3 water type attacks may seem silly, but hear me out. Hydro Pump is when I need to nuke things, Surf is for accuracy, and Waterfall suprises things after a Draco Meteor. The only other options Kingdra has are Ice Beam and Outrage, however, many 4x weak Ice pokemon are hit just as hard, if not harder, by other attacks (Dragonite and Draco Meteor, Landorus-T and Surf) and Outrage is a death sentence. I chose Mystic Water over Life Orb to allow Kingdra to wall break for itself and still remain healthy, considering I dont have any other powerful water types on my team. If however, I did have another Swift Swimmer, I might use Outrage over something with a Life Orb so Kingdra could wall break for them.
The biggest threats to this team are Bisharp, Aegilash, Rotom-Wash, and Mega Pinsir and Mega Charizad X to a lesser extent. Considering I have no Dark or Ghost resists, Bisharp and Aegilash easily rape this team. Rotom-W can play its way around anything that can damage it, but I can usually wear it down in the end. Mega Pinsir and Mega Charizard X can take down many pokemon with them, but then again, what team can easily stop them without explicitly being designed to do so? However, the biggest threat to this team is by far Fire Water Grass cores that feature Rotom-W, Mega Venusaur, and Heatran. Even just two of them on a team give me troubles. Tornadus-T can sometimes handle just Mega Venusar and Heatran, but if Rotom-W is on the opposing team with either one of them, I have a lot of problems on my way.
As I see it, something on my team has to be replaced or signifcantly changed to desl with these popular threats.
The importable is below, if I knew how to put it in a file/tag/whatever you call it, I would.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Big Bird (Tornadus-Therian) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Atk
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Superpower
- U-turn
Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 SAtk / 248 HP / 8 Def
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Defog
- Swords Dance
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 44 Def / 252 HP / 212 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Leech Seed
Kingdra @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 180 Spd / 252 SAtk / 76 Atk
Mild Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Draco Meteor
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Politoed, my favorite pokemon and a necessary component to most rain teams. Since I wanted to build a team around Politoed that abuses rain, I realized that a Damp Rock would be the best way to abuse rain to its maximum potential. Also, because Politoed needs to often switch in and out a lot, I figured that it would have to be defensive and have a good form of recovery to reliably set up rain. With that thought in mind, I went with Rest and Sleep Talk. This also allows Politoed to absorb status for my team, and not be a complete dead weight when asleep. Scald is an obvious choice, but I couldnt decide between Toxic and Perish Song. While Perish Song could be nice, I ended up choosing Toxic because when Politoed comes into battle my opponents usually switch into their best rain counter/water resist. Because of this, I usually Toxic with Politoed to wear down these threats faster and allow other members (such as Kingdra) to have an easier time sweeping later on. However, there are times when I wish I had Perish Song so I'm open to reconsider Politoed's moveset.
Big Bird (Tornadus-Therian) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Def
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Superpower
- U-turn
Being banished to Ubers last gen is a testimony to how powerful Tornadus-T is in the rain, boasting a 100% accurate STAB Hurricane. Tornadus-T also has a blazing fast 121 base speed and an amazing ability in Regenerator, which helps it ignore Life Orb recoil and negate Stealth Rock. The main reason I chose Tornadus-T for this team is because Hurricane can beat many bulky grass types who check or counter Kingdra and Politoed. Also, it works as a good pivot thanks to Regenerator and U-Turn, despite not being too bulky. Finally, I often use Tornadus-T as my lead because of its base 121 speed and U-Turn. Hurricane and U-Turn are clear choices, but the final two slots are open to debate. I went with Superpower to beat things like Tyranitar, Specially Defensive Heatran, and Blissey/Chansey who think they can sponge a Hurricane, while also having perfect accuracy. Finally, I chose Heat Wave over Knock Off to deal with Ferrothorn and Skarmory outside of the rain, mostly Ferrothorn since most of my team has trouble with him. Again, Im open to suggestions for Tornadus-T's moveset.
Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 SAtk / 248 HP / 8 Def
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
Ampharos was the last member added to my team, it replaced specs Keldeo because I had a serious weakness to Talonflame before hand. Ampharos can theaten some bulky waters who get in Kindra's way with a 100% accurate Thunder, or gain momentum with Volt Switch. Dragon Pulse is relaible in and out of rain and can hit some pokemon that resist Ampharos's electric STABs. I chose Focus Blast in the final slot to help deal with Ferrothorn if Tornadus-T went down, but I dont really need it and the accuracy hurts. Im thinking of replacing it with either Hidden Power Ice, Heal Bell, or possibly Agility. All in all Ampharos is a good lead and pivot, having nice bulk and a slow Volt Switch, however it could really use a reliable method of recovering. My team also has a serious Bisharp, Aegilash, and Rotom-Wash problems so I was thinking of replacing Ampharos.
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Defog
- Swords Dance
Scizor replaced Latias as my defogger and used to be my Mega before I started using Ampharos. Scizor is great at defogging, gaining momentum, pivoting, using priority, and supporting my team in general. All thr moves are fairly standard, except Swords Dance on a Defog set. I used to have Roost when using Mega Scizor, but I found normal Scizor to be slightly underwhelming in bulk and never able to reliabley take advantage of Roost. So, I switched Roost to Swords Dance because it is a little more useful, easily getting me to get t +2 on an obvious switch.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 44 Def / 252 HP / 212 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Leech Seed
Ferrothorn is here to provide hazards and wall annoying threats such as Azumarill and other bulky Water and grass types. I chose Gyro Ball almost specifally to stop Kyurem B from getting free subs on me. Besides, the only notable target of Power Whip is Rotom-W, who will either burn me or Volt Switch in my face. Thunder Wave and Leech Seed make Ferrothorn less prone to being set up on, although I'm considering getting rid of one of them for Spikes.
Kingdra @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 180 Spd / 252 SAtk / 76 Atk
Mild Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Draco Meteor
Kingdra is probably the best swift swimmer and an amazing cleaner and wall breaker. This set isnt quite standard, and 3 water type attacks may seem silly, but hear me out. Hydro Pump is when I need to nuke things, Surf is for accuracy, and Waterfall suprises things after a Draco Meteor. The only other options Kingdra has are Ice Beam and Outrage, however, many 4x weak Ice pokemon are hit just as hard, if not harder, by other attacks (Dragonite and Draco Meteor, Landorus-T and Surf) and Outrage is a death sentence. I chose Mystic Water over Life Orb to allow Kingdra to wall break for itself and still remain healthy, considering I dont have any other powerful water types on my team. If however, I did have another Swift Swimmer, I might use Outrage over something with a Life Orb so Kingdra could wall break for them.
The biggest threats to this team are Bisharp, Aegilash, Rotom-Wash, and Mega Pinsir and Mega Charizad X to a lesser extent. Considering I have no Dark or Ghost resists, Bisharp and Aegilash easily rape this team. Rotom-W can play its way around anything that can damage it, but I can usually wear it down in the end. Mega Pinsir and Mega Charizard X can take down many pokemon with them, but then again, what team can easily stop them without explicitly being designed to do so? However, the biggest threat to this team is by far Fire Water Grass cores that feature Rotom-W, Mega Venusaur, and Heatran. Even just two of them on a team give me troubles. Tornadus-T can sometimes handle just Mega Venusar and Heatran, but if Rotom-W is on the opposing team with either one of them, I have a lot of problems on my way.
As I see it, something on my team has to be replaced or signifcantly changed to desl with these popular threats.
The importable is below, if I knew how to put it in a file/tag/whatever you call it, I would.
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Big Bird (Tornadus-Therian) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Atk
Naive Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Superpower
- U-turn
Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 SAtk / 248 HP / 8 Def
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Defog
- Swords Dance
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 44 Def / 252 HP / 212 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Leech Seed
Kingdra @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 180 Spd / 252 SAtk / 76 Atk
Mild Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Draco Meteor
Last edited:
