Draft Ludicolo

Patar136

Patar136

**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards

**Price Range**: 3-4 points

**Overview**: In a sea of offensive Water-types, Ludicolo faces a lot of competition that leaves it out to dry. Even on rain teams, Swift Swim sweepers such as Barraskewda and either Basculegion forme tend to offer more offensive power that these teams usually prefer in order to be as threatening as possible. However, Ludicolo does offer these teams a valuable Ground resistance while not being a Flying-type. Furthermore, it can differentiate itself with decent bulk, typing, and good utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore. However, a lack of boosting options, poor special coverage, and reliance on rain cause it to be outclassed most of the time, and even if picked, it can find itself benched in matchups where it's not going to carry its weight.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Swift Swim Cleaner**: Thanks to Swift Swim, Ludicolo can patch up its otherwise bad Speed and outpace a decent amount of Pokemon. Against weakened teams, it can potentially clean up by using its rain-boosted Water-type attacks to sweep after its teammates had broken down opposing checks and faster foes that would otherwise defeat it. However, given its poor special coverage and lackluster offenses, it will need good support to pull this off.

**Bulky Support**: Ludicolo can also take advantage of its decent utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore to either provide valuable disruption or gradually whittle down its checks. In some scenarios, it can elect to use Rain Dish in order to increase its longevity and be an annoying roadblock to more defensive Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Leaf Storm, Energy Ball, Giga Drain, Grass Knot, Hydro Pump, Surf, Seed Bomb, Waterfall

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Rain Dance

**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Counter, Encore, Fake Out, Knock Off, Leech Seed, Protect, Substitute

**Coverage**: Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Weather Ball, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========
**Synthesis**: While not ideal, Ludicolo can utilize Synthesis in order to gain recovery to increase its longevity against defensive teams. However, in rain, it will only be healing one-fourth of its total health, which means Leech Seed outclasses it most of the time.

Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Life Orb, Mystic Water, and Miracle Seed can be utilized to boost the power of Ludicolo's offense to ensure that it can secure KOs against targets that might otherwise stand up to it.

**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs is a good item to provide immediate power for Ludicolo under rain to increase its wallbreaking power.

**Leftovers**: Ludicolo can benefit from Leftovers to gain passive recovery in order to take advantage of Substitute in order to set up Leech Seed.

Niche Items
========
**Assault Vest**: Ludicolo's decent special bulk can be bolstered with Assault Vest in order to increase its defensive profile when on the field.

**Resistance Berries**: Berries such as Tanga Berry, Kebia Berry, and Coba Berry can allow Ludicolo to avoid being eliminated by Bug-type, Poison-type, and Flying-type attacks, respectively. Yache Berry is the only method Ludicolo has to avoid being KOed by Freeze-Dry.

Tera
========
Ludicolo is generally a poor Tera Captain, since it is outclassed by superior choices most of the time. Furthermore, there are scenarios where its base typing is actually useful in order to check opposing Ground-types and Water-types. Should you choose to make Ludicolo a secondary Captain anyway, Terastallization can boost the power of its Grass-type or Water-type attacks. It can also appreciate defensive Tera types such as Steel and Fairy in order to increase its defensive profile in poor matchups.

Draft Strategy
========
Ludicolo is a cheap Swift Swim sweeper that provides a mix of defensive capabilities and decent speed control. When not drafted as a rain sweeper, Ludicolo can fit on bulkier squads and set up the rain itself when it can defeat certain matchups.

**Rain Setters**: Pelipper or Politoed is a necessary partner for Ludicolo, since it is otherwise slow and easily handled by faster foes. Ludicolo is also useful in that it is a Swift Swim partner that isn't weak to the Electric-type attacks that these two are otherwise afraid of. Should these Pokemon be unavailable, Pokemon such as Tornadus and Klefki are decent options to set the rain for a late-game sweep.

**Offensive Pivots**: Strong offensive pivots will help provide the momentum that rain teams desire to wallbreak with increased ability. Thundurus-T, Iron Crown, and Iron Bundle are good at providing this additional form of offense.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Ludicolo appreciates the existence of entry hazards to wear down its checks and secure KOs more easily. Partners such as Gliscor, Klefki, and Overqwil can make good partners that can also switch in on the attacks that would scare it out.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Foes**: While Ludicolo is relatively fast under rain, it can find itself outsped by Pokemon that use either Booster Energy or Choice Scarf to get past its base 70 Speed. This includes Pokemon such as Iron Valiant, Roaring Moon, and Iron Moth.

**Grass- and Dragon-types**: Though they have to scout for Ice Beam, Dragon- and Grass-types, including Walking Wake, Serperior, and Amoonguss, can comfortably resist its STAB attacks and threaten high damage in return.

**Freeze-Dry**: Ludicolo is very afraid of Freeze-Dry from Pokemon such as Kyurem, Iron Bundle, and Alolan Ninetales that can provide a lot of offensive pressure, especially the latter because it removes Ludicolo's Swift Swim boost.

[credits]
Written by:
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Quality checked by:
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Last edited:
I'm working on Poliwrath right now, but us Swift Swim writers gotta stick together! (AMQC)
ADD REMOVE COMMENT

**Draft Order**: Round 6 7 onwards

**Price Range**: 4-5 3-4 points I feel bad for anyone getting five point Ludicolo

**Overview**: In a sea of offensive water types, Ludicolo faces a lot of competition that leaves it out to dry. Even on rain teams, swift swimmers such as Barraskewda, Basculegion and even Kingdra tend to offer more offensive power that these teams usually prefer in order to be as threatening as possible. However, Ludicolo does offer these teams a valuable ground resist who isn't a Flying-type and it can differentiate itself with decent bulk, typing and good utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore. a bit of a run-on sentence Ludicolo can function as a cheaper form of speed control not sure if "speed control" is the word I'd use here, and I also wouldn't advertise Ludicolo as "just for rain teams", they usually have better things to do and Ludicolo isn't afraid of setting rain for itself for rain teams that appreciate its mix of offensive and defensive presence, despite generally being benched since it is highly situational and still has flaws that make it harder to use including bad coverage and weaknesses to moves such as Freeze Dry and U-turn. I personally don't think Freeze-Dry is common enough for it to mentioned as a weakness here. This sentence is also a run-on but that's Techno's problem

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Swift Swim Sweeper Cleaner**: Thanks to Swift Swim, Ludicolo can patch up its otherwise bad speed and outpace a decent amount of Pokemon. Against weakened teams, it can potentially clean up by using its rain boosted Water-type attacks to sweep after its teammates had broken down opposing checks and faster foes that would otherwise defeat it.

**Fast Bulky Support**: Ludicolo can also take advantage of its decent utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore to either provide valuable disruption or to gradually whittle down its checks. In some scenarios, it can elect to use Rain Dish in order to increase its longevity and be an annoying road block to more defensive Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Leaf Storm, Energy Ball, Giga Drain, Grass Knot, Hydro Pump, Surf, a bunch of physical moves

**Setup Moves**: See niche. Swords Dance, Rain Dance

**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Counter, Encore, Fake Out, Knock Off, Leech Seed, Protect, Substitite, Whirlpool

**Coverage**: Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Tera Blast, a bunch of physical moves

Niche Moves
========
**Swords Dance**: Strangely, despite having a poor special movepool Ludicolo has a massive physical movepool that can be enabled due to Swords Dance in spite of its lackluster attack stat. Ludicolo can attempt to take advantage of Swords Dance in order to surprise its checks by attacking on the physical side. I'm personally of the belief that if a Pokemon's ATK and SPA are only 20 apart, and it doesn't have some insane move or pathetic movepool calling it to one or the other, it can function as a mixed attacker. Ludicolo has no way to boost is SPA outside of "Growth" and "Weakness Policy" so I'd put Swords Dance in setup, put all its physical coverage in Primary STAB, and put its physical options in Coverage

**Rain Dance**: Ludicolo can set up Rain Dance in situations where the rain setter has either been eliminated or to predict a switch in from opposing setters such as Alolan Ninetales and Tyranitar. likewise I'd also just put this in setup, sometimes the team just won't want to set up for Ludicolo, and he's got a pretty flexible fourth moveslot anyway

**Weather Ball**: Weather Ball is slightly stronger under rain compared to Surf and can give Ludicolo extra power without having to risk Hydro Pump's reduced accuracy.

**Icy Wind**: Ludicolo can use Icy Wind to prevent opposing set up or to punish a faster switch in from scaring it out.

**Trailblaze**:

**Synthesis**:

does Growth deserve a mention? maaaaaaybe


Common Items
========
**Damage Boosting Items**: Life Orb, Choice Specs, Mystic Water, and Miracle Seed can be utilized to boost the power of Ludicolo's offense to ensure that it can secure KOs against targets that might otherwise stand up to it. as far as I can tell, Choice items aren't usually listed with damage-boosting items, since the main draw of other items is that you're not locked into a single attack. Separate Choice Specs and put it wherever you see fit

**Leftovers**: Ludicolo can benefit from Leftovers to gain passive recovery in order to take advantage of Substitute in order to set up Leech Seed.

Niche Items
========
**Assault Vest**: Ludicolo's decent special bulk can be bolstered with Assault Vest in order to increase its defensive profile when on the field.

**Resistance Berries**: Berries such as Tanga Berry, Kebia Berry and Coba Berry can allow Ludicolo to avoid being eliminated by Bug-type, Poison-type, and Flying-type attacks respectively. not sure if you have to name each of the berries. Maybe mention Yache if you're gonna do all that tho

**Sitrus Berry / Iapapa Berry**: Ludicolo can use Sitrus Berry or Iapapa Berry to regain its health in a pinch in shorter games.

**Choice Scarf**: Ludicolo can don a Choice Scarf to make itself even faster to surprise a check that would otherwise safely revenge kill it.

**Damp Rock**:

Tera
========
Ludicolo is generally a poor Tera captain since it is outclassed by superior choices most of the time. Furthermore, there are scenarios where its base typing is actually useful in order to check opposing ground-types and water-types. Should you choose to make Ludicolo a secondary captain anyway, Terastallization can boost the power of its Grass-type or Water-type attacks respectively, especially the latter when boosted by rain. It can also give Ludicolo coverage in Tera Blast that it otherwise sorely lacks. such as? It can also appreciate defensive Tera-types such as Steel and Fairy in order to set up Substitutes easier. "Substitute"? When was Substitute mentioned? If Ludicolo is running Substitute so often, you should mention it in Common Roles. If not, now's a weird time to bring it up

Draft Strategy
========
Ludicolo is a swift swimmer that provides a mix of defensive capabilities and decent speed control. In order to thrive, Ludicolo requires strong partners that can do most of the heavy lifting since it will be benched a lot of the time in scenarios where it becomes a liability. a bit vague for my liking, this could be said for any low tier

**Rain Setters**: Pelipper or Politoed is a necessary partner for Ludicolo since it is otherwise slow and easily handled by faster foes. Ludicolo is also useful in that it is a swift swim partner that isn't weak to the electric attacks that these two are otherwise afraid of. having never run a rain team, I'm not sure if Pelipper really has Ludicolo hanging around as a Swift Swim partner. I'd bring up Alternative Rain Setters, stuff like Pranksters and bulky Flyings that can get a kick out of Hurricane

**Stronger Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Greninja, Archaludon, and Thundurus-Therian are examples of good partners that can pressure the opponent with strong offensive presence. Furthermore, many of these Pokemon can pivot out to Ludicolo so that it can hit the field safely. you may as well have written down "Good Pokemon", this is way too vague. What does Ludicolo want out of a wallbreaker in particular? The ability to pivot? A type that synergizes well with its own?

**Entry Hazard Control**: Ludicolo appreciates the existence of entry hazards to wear down its checks and secure KOs more easily. Partners such as Glicor, Klefki, and Hisuian Qwilfish can make good partners who can also switch in on the attacks that would scare it out.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Opponents**: While Ludicolo is relatively fast under rain, it can find itself outsped by Pokemon that use either Booster Energy or Choice Scarf to get past its base 70 speed. This includes Pokemon such as Iron Valiant, Roaring Moon, and Iron Moth.

**Grass- and Dragon-types**: resists Ludicolo's STAB and can usually pick it off pretty easy, unless they switch into Ice Beam it's lights out for the guy

**Flying-types**: Strong Flying-types such as Tornadus-Therian, Iron Jugulis and Zapdos can bait out Ludicolo with a resist berry and eliminate it with Hurricane, especially dangerous since rain will make this move perfectly accurate. wouldn't Ludicolo just hit them with Hydro Pump

if you disagree with my point on Swords Dance, put Special Walls here

**Freeze-Dry**: Ludicolo is very afraid of Freeze Dry from Pokemon such as Kyurem, Iron Bundle and Alolan Ninetales who can provide a lot of offensive pressure, the latter especially since it removes Ludicolo's swift swim.

[credits]

Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/patar136.571123/
Quality checked by:
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qc 1/2
add comment remove
**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards

**Price Range**: 3-4 points

**Overview**: In a sea of offensive water types, Ludicolo faces a lot of competition that leaves it out to dry. Even on rain teams, swift swimmers such as Barraskewda, and Basculegion and even Kingdra sorry but kingdra isn't really relevant enough to be mentioned tend to offer more offensive power that these teams usually prefer in order to be as threatening as possible. However, Ludicolo does offer these teams a valuable ground resist who isn't a Flying-type. Furthermore, it can differentiate itself with decent bulk, typing and good utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore. However, a fatal weakness to Freeze-Dry, lack of boosting options and reliance on rain also mention its lack of coverage options on the special side cause it to be outclassed most of the time and even if picked it can find itself benched in matchups where it's not going to carry its weight.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Swift Swim Cleaner**: Thanks to Swift Swim, Ludicolo can patch up its otherwise bad speed and outpace a decent amount of Pokemon. Against weakened teams, it can potentially clean up by using its rain boosted Water-type attacks to sweep after its teammates had broken down opposing checks and faster foes that would otherwise defeat it.

**Fast Bulky Support**: Ludicolo can also take advantage of its decent utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore to either provide valuable disruption or to gradually whittle down its checks. In some scenarios, it can elect to use Rain Dish in order to increase its longevity and be an annoying road block to more defensive Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Leaf Storm, Energy Ball, Giga Drain, Grass Knot, Hydro Pump, Surf, Seed Bomb, Waterfall

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Rain Dance

**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Counter, Encore, Fake Out, Knock Off, Leech Seed, Protect, Substitite Substitute, Whirlpool

**Coverage**: Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========

**Weather Ball**: Weather Ball is slightly stronger under rain compared to Surf and can give Ludicolo extra power without having to risk Hydro Pump's reduced accuracy. move to common

**Icy Wind**: Ludicolo can use Icy Wind to prevent opposing set up or to punish a faster switch in from scaring it out.

**Trailblaze**: Ludicolo can attempt to use Trailblaze to boost its speed even further to get past specific matchups.

**Synthesis**: While not ideal, Ludicolo can utilize Synthesis in order to gain recovery to increase its longevity against defensive teams.
add a space
**Growth**: Growth is the only option outside of items that Ludicolo can use to boost its special attack stat. on ludicolo it may be too niche but see what qc2 says


Common Items
========
**Damage Boosting Items**: Life Orb, Mystic Water, and Miracle Seed can be utilized to boost the power of Ludicolo's offense to ensure that it can secure KOs against targets that might otherwise stand up to it.

**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs is a good item to provide immediate power for Ludicolo under rain to increase its wallbreaking power.

**Leftovers**: Ludicolo can benefit from Leftovers to gain passive recovery in order to take advantage of Substitute in order to set up Leech Seed.

Niche Items
========
**Assault Vest**: Ludicolo's decent special bulk can be bolstered with Assault Vest in order to increase its defensive profile when on the field.

**Resistance Berries**: Berries such as Tanga Berry, Kebia Berry and Coba Berry can allow Ludicolo to avoid being eliminated by Bug-type, Poison-type, and Flying-type attacks respectively. Yache Berry is the only Ludicolo has to avoid being KOed by Freeze Dry.

**Sitrus Berry / Iapapa Berry**: Ludicolo can use Sitrus Berry or Iapapa Berry to regain its health in a pinch in shorter games.

**Choice Scarf**: Ludicolo can don a Choice Scarf to make itself even faster to surprise a check that would otherwise safely revenge kill it.

**Damp Rock**: When Ludicolo wants to set the rain for its teammates moreso than itself, Damp Rock can be useful to provide support should the primary rain setter go down.

Tera
========
Ludicolo is generally a poor Tera captain since it is outclassed by superior choices most of the time. Furthermore, there are scenarios where its base typing is actually useful in order to check opposing ground-types and water-types. Should you choose to make Ludicolo a secondary captain anyway, Terastallization can boost the power of its Grass-type or Water-type attacks respectively, especially the latter when boosted by rain. It can also give Ludicolo additional coverage in Tera Blast to expand its list of targets. It can also appreciate defensive Tera-types such as Steel and Fairy in order to increase its defensive profile in poor match ups. removed some filler

Draft Strategy
========
Ludicolo is a cheap swift swimmer that provides a mix of defensive capabilities and decent speed control. When not drafted as a rain sweeper, Ludicolo can fit on bulkier squads and set up the rain itself when it can defeat certain matchups.

**Rain Setters**: Pelipper or Politoed is a necessary partner for Ludicolo since it is otherwise slow and easily handled by faster foes. Ludicolo is also useful in that it is a swift swim partner that isn't weak to the electric attacks that these two are otherwise afraid of. Should these Pokemon be unavailable, Pokemon such as Tornadus and Klefki are decent options to set the rain for a late game sweep.

**Offensive Pivots**: Strong offensive pivots will help provide the momentum that rain teams desire to wallbreak with increased ability. Thundurus-T, Iron Crown and Iron Bundle are good at providing this additional form of offense.

**Entry Hazard Control**: Ludicolo appreciates the existence of entry hazards to wear down its checks and secure KOs more easily. Partners such as Gliscor, Klefki, and Hisuian Qwilfish can make good partners who can also switch in on the attacks that would scare it out.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Opponents**: While Ludicolo is relatively fast under rain, it can find itself outsped by Pokemon that use either Booster Energy or Choice Scarf to get past its base 70 speed. This includes Pokemon such as Iron Valiant, Roaring Moon, and Iron Moth.

**Grass- and Dragon-types**: Though they have to scout Ice Beam, Dragon and Grass types including Walking Wake, Serperior, and Amoonguss can comfortably resist its STAB attacks and threaten high damage in return.

**Freeze-Dry**: Ludicolo is very afraid of Freeze Dry from Pokemon such as Kyurem, Iron Bundle and Alolan Ninetales who can provide a lot of offensive pressure, the latter especially since it removes Ludicolo's swift swim.

[credits]

Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/patar136.571123/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/big-pharma.657717/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
 
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QC 2/2

**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards

**Price Range**: 3-4 points

**Overview**: In a sea of offensive Water-types, Ludicolo faces a lot of competition that leaves it out to dry. Even on rain teams, swift swimmers such as Barraskewda and Basculegion tend to offer more offensive power that these teams usually prefer in order to be as threatening as possible. However, Ludicolo does offer these teams a valuable ground resist who isn't a Flying-type. Furthermore, it can differentiate itself with decent bulk, typing and good utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore. However, a lack of boosting options, poor coverage on the special side, and reliance on rain cause it to be outclassed most of the time and even if picked it can find itself benched in matchups where it's not going to carry its weight.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Swift Swim Cleaner**: Thanks to Swift Swim, Ludicolo can patch up its otherwise bad speed and outpace a decent amount of Pokemon. Against weakened teams, it can potentially clean up by using its rain boosted Water-type attacks to sweep after its teammates had broken down opposing checks and faster foes that would otherwise defeat it.
mention that its pretty weak + poor coverage here as well

**Bulky Support**: Ludicolo can also take advantage of its decent utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore to either provide valuable disruption or to gradually whittle down its checks. In some scenarios, it can elect to use Rain Dish in order to increase its longevity and be an annoying road block to more defensive Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Leaf Storm, Energy Ball, Giga Drain, Grass Knot, Hydro Pump, Surf, Seed Bomb, Waterfall

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Rain Dance

**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Counter, Encore, Fake Out, Knock Off, Leech Seed, Protect, Substitute

**Coverage**: Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Weather Ball, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========
**Synthesis**: While not ideal, Ludicolo can utilize Synthesis in order to gain recovery to increase its longevity against defensive teams.
mention only healing 1/3 in rain

**Growth**: Growth is the only option outside of items that Ludicolo can use to boost its special attack stat.
honestly swords dance is probably a better option on this mon (both not good enough to mention)

Common Items
========
**Damage Boosting Items**: Life Orb, Mystic Water, and Miracle Seed can be utilized to boost the power of Ludicolo's offense to ensure that it can secure KOs against targets that might otherwise stand up to it.

**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs is a good item to provide immediate power for Ludicolo under rain to increase its wallbreaking power.

**Leftovers**: Ludicolo can benefit from Leftovers to gain passive recovery in order to take advantage of Substitute in order to set up Leech Seed.

Niche Items
========
**Assault Vest**: Ludicolo's decent special bulk can be bolstered with Assault Vest in order to increase its defensive profile when on the field.

**Resistance Berries**: Berries such as Tanga Berry, Kebia Berry and Coba Berry can allow Ludicolo to avoid being eliminated by Bug-type, Poison-type, and Flying-type attacks respectively. Yache Berry is the only Ludicolo has to avoid being KOed by Freeze Dry.

**Choice Scarf**: Ludicolo can don a Choice Scarf to make itself even faster to surprise a check that would otherwise safely revenge kill it.
too slow/weak for this to be good

Tera
========
Ludicolo is generally a poor Tera captain since it is outclassed by superior choices most of the time. Furthermore, there are scenarios where its base typing is actually useful in order to check opposing Ground-types and Water-types. Should you choose to make Ludicolo a secondary captain anyway, Terastallization can boost the power of its Grass-type or Water-type attacks respectively. It can also appreciate defensive Tera-types such as Steel and Fairy in order to increase its defensive profile in poor match ups.

Draft Strategy
========
Ludicolo is a cheap swift swimmer that provides a mix of defensive capabilities and decent speed control. When not drafted as a rain sweeper, Ludicolo can fit on bulkier squads and set up the rain itself when it can defeat certain matchups.

**Rain Setters**: Pelipper or Politoed is a necessary partner for Ludicolo since it is otherwise slow and easily handled by faster foes. Ludicolo is also useful in that it is a swift swim partner that isn't weak to the electric attacks that these two are otherwise afraid of. Should these Pokemon be unavailable, Pokemon such as Tornadus and Klefki are decent options to set the rain for a late game sweep.

**Offensive Pivots**: Strong offensive pivots will help provide the momentum that rain teams desire to wallbreak with increased ability. Thundurus-T, Iron Crown and Iron Bundle are good at providing this additional form of offense.

**Entry Hazard Control Setters**: Ludicolo appreciates the existence of entry hazards to wear down its checks and secure KOs more easily. Partners such as Gliscor, Klefki, and Hisuian Qwilfish Overqwil can make good partners who can also switch in on the attacks that would scare it out.
control = removal
overqwil over h qwil to have a stronger partner example

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Opponents**: While Ludicolo is relatively fast under rain, it can find itself outsped by Pokemon that use either Booster Energy or Choice Scarf to get past its base 70 speed. This includes Pokemon such as Iron Valiant, Roaring Moon, and Iron Moth.

**Grass- and Dragon-types**: Though they have to scout Ice Beam, Dragon and Grass types, including Walking Wake, Serperior, and Amoonguss can comfortably resist its STAB attacks and threaten high damage in return.

**Freeze-Dry**: Ludicolo is very afraid of Freeze Dry from Pokemon such as Kyurem, Iron Bundle, and Alolan Ninetales who can provide a lot of offensive pressure, the latter especially since it removes Ludicolo's Swift Swim.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/patar136.571123/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/big-pharma.657717/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
 
Implemented, however, since Big Pharma did an AMQC I don't know if that should be included as a QC, unless it was promoted. Will wait a bit before I promote to GP.
 
GP Team done

add remove highlight comment

**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards

**Price Range**: 3-4 points

**Overview**: In a sea of offensive Water-types, Ludicolo faces a lot of competition that leaves it out to dry. Even on rain teams, Swift swimmers Swim sweepers such as Barraskewda and Basculegion (which forme/gender, "-M" or "-F"?) tend to offer more offensive power that these teams usually prefer in order to be as threatening as possible. However, Ludicolo does offer these teams a valuable Ground resist who isn't resistance while not being a Flying-type. Furthermore, it can differentiate itself with decent bulk, (seems like there's a missing adjective for "typing") typing, (AC) and good utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore. However, a lack of boosting options, poor coverage on the special side coverage, and reliance on rain cause it to be outclassed most of the time, (AC) and even if picked, (AC) it can find itself benched in matchups where it's not going to carry its weight.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Swift Swim Cleaner**: Thanks to Swift Swim, Ludicolo can patch up its otherwise bad Speed and outpace a decent amount of Pokemon. Against weakened teams, it can potentially clean up by using its rain boosted rain-boosted Water-type attacks to sweep after its teammates had broken down opposing checks and faster foes that would otherwise defeat it. However, given its poor special coverage and lackluster offenses, (AC) it will need good support to pull this off.

**Bulky Support**: Ludicolo can also take advantage of its decent utility moves such as Leech Seed and Encore to either provide valuable disruption or to gradually whittle down its checks. In some scenarios, it can elect to use Rain Dish in order to increase its longevity and be an annoying road block roadblock to more defensive Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Leaf Storm, Energy Ball, Giga Drain, Grass Knot, Hydro Pump, Surf, Seed Bomb, Waterfall

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Rain Dance

**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Counter, Encore, Fake Out, Knock Off, Leech Seed, Protect, Substitute

**Coverage**: Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Weather Ball, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========
**Synthesis**: While not ideal, Ludicolo can utilize Synthesis in order to gain recovery to increase its longevity against defensive teams. However, in rain, (AC) it will only be healing 1/3 one-fourth of its total health. (This is just dex info. Maybe just say that Ludicolo won't recover much under rain, if that's your main point?)

Common Items
========
**Damage Boosting Damage-boosting Items**: Life Orb, Mystic Water, and Miracle Seed can be utilized to boost the power of Ludicolo's offense to ensure that it can secure KOs against targets that might otherwise stand up to it.

**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs is a good item to provide immediate power for Ludicolo under rain to increase its wallbreaking power.

**Leftovers**: Ludicolo can benefit from Leftovers to gain passive recovery in order to take advantage of Substitute in order to set up Leech Seed.

Niche Items
========
**Assault Vest**: Ludicolo's decent special bulk can be bolstered with Assault Vest in order to increase its defensive profile when on the field.

**Resistance Berries**: Berries such as Tanga Berry, Kebia Berry, (AC) and Coba Berry can allow Ludicolo to avoid being eliminated by Bug-type, Poison-type, and Flying-type attacks, (AC) respectively. Yache Berry is the only (there's a missing noun here, do you mean to say "way" or "method"?) Ludicolo has to avoid being KOed by Freeze Dry Freeze-Dry.

Tera
========
Ludicolo is generally a poor Tera Captain, (AC) since it is outclassed by superior choices most of the time. Furthermore, there are scenarios where its base typing is actually useful in order to check opposing Ground-types and Water-types. Should you choose to make Ludicolo a secondary Captain anyway, Terastallization can boost the power of its Grass-type or Water-type attacks respectively. It can also appreciate defensive Tera-types Tera types such as Steel and Fairy in order to increase its defensive profile in poor match ups matchups.

Draft Strategy
========
Ludicolo is a cheap Swift swimmer Swim sweeper that provides a mix of defensive capabilities and decent speed control. When not drafted as a rain sweeper, Ludicolo can fit on bulkier squads and set up the rain itself when it can defeat certain matchups.

**Rain Setters**: Pelipper or Politoed is a necessary partner for Ludicolo, (AC) since it is otherwise slow and easily handled by faster foes. Ludicolo is also useful in that it is a Swift Swim partner that isn't weak to the electric Electric-type attacks that these two are otherwise afraid of. Should these Pokemon be unavailable, Pokemon such as Tornadus and Klefki are decent options to set the rain for a late game late-game sweep.

**Offensive Pivots**: Strong offensive pivots will help provide the momentum that rain teams desire to wallbreak with increased ability. Thundurus-T, Iron Crown, (AC) and Iron Bundle are good at providing this additional form of offense.

**Entry Hazard Setters**: Ludicolo appreciates the existence of entry hazards to wear down its checks and secure KOs more easily. Partners such as Gliscor, Klefki, and Overqwil can make good partners who that can also switch in on the attacks that would scare it out.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Opponents Foes**: While Ludicolo is relatively fast under rain, it can find itself outsped by Pokemon that use either Booster Energy or Choice Scarf to get past its base 70 Speed. This includes Pokemon such as Iron Valiant, Roaring Moon, and Iron Moth.

**Grass- and Dragon-types**: Though they have to scout for Ice Beam, Dragon- and Grass types Grass-types, including Walking Wake, Serperior, and Amoonguss, (AC) can comfortably resist its STAB attacks and threaten high damage in return.

**Freeze-Dry**: Ludicolo is very afraid of Freeze Dry Freeze-Dry from Pokemon such as Kyurem, Iron Bundle, and Alolan Ninetales who that can provide a lot of offensive pressure, especially the latter especially since because it removes Ludicolo's Swift Swim boost.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/patar136.571123/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/big-pharma.657717/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/e-man.617175/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000

Please let me know when you're finished, so I can quickly look through this again.

GP Check 1/1

a-blue-banana-gif.645975
 
Even on rain teams, Swift Swim sweepers such as Barraskewda and either Basculegion forme tend to offer more offensive power that these teams usually prefer in order to be as threatening as possible.

However, in rain, it will only be healing one-fourth of its total health, (AC) which means Leech Seed outclasses it most of the time.

Ludicolo is generally a poor Tera Captain, (AC) since it is outclassed by superior choices most of the time.

Implement these fixes and you should be good to go.
 
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