Offensive Rain Team.

[ChaosNebula]

Alright I made another rain team, as I have seen my others one have little or no reply. I wanted to use 2 swift swimmers that have been rarely used, with that being Floatzel in Armaldo. Trust me these guys work well. Anyways starting on...

Politoed (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Boil Over
- Perish Song
- Protect
- Toxic

The setter. It is very obvious on the reason why you would want to choose this pokemon. To set up rain boy. I use perish song for one reason TO ANNOY PEOPLE. People think they can set up in my face, and I just perish song them. I then protect to stall, and switch out for the last turn. During the Perish Song, I usually use toxic or boil over to dish out some damage. Either way the opponent is forced to switch out, or let their pokemon die. It is a GREAT way to get a free switch.

Gorebyss (M) @ White Herb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Shell Smash

As suggested by PureBeas I swapped my Floatzel for Gorebyss. Although I find a little hard time getting a free shell smash in, I am considering to adding a memento Dugtrio somewhere in this team. In this way I will have a free chance of set up as the person is forced to switch out. Surf skyrockets to an insane STAB move. Ice Beam and Hidden power grass is for coverage as suggested by the helpful PureBeas . White Herb is to prevent stat drops.

الطائر الذهب (Zapdos) @ Leftovers
Trait: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Roost
- Agility
- Hidden Power [Ice]

As suggested by couple of people who replied in this thread, I have tried out Zapdos, and it works beautifully. I swapped Armaldo for this guy, and I think that this was a good choice. Thunder for the 100% under the rain, HP ICE for the coverage, agility is to boost its speed and roost for survival.

الفطر لماع (Breloom) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Spore
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch

As suggested by PureBeas, I added a TechniLoom into the team. It works wonders, and I am for sure replacing my Cresselia for this little mushroom!
Spore to set up, and mach punch Doryuuzu, and Tyranitar.

وستقوم منظمة (Kabutops) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick

Swapped Ludicolo for this little guy. Since I hate Nattorei so much, a unboosted Low Kick OHKOs Nattorei, which is music to my eyes. Although I have a hard time setting up at times, it still does pretty well!

Nattorei (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave

I hate him so much I use him. I send him out on any grass types or any threats to my beautiful sweepers (except Armaldo!) Thunder Wave to give Armaldo an easy time, or drain their HP with leech seed. Power Whip is there to dish out damage and gyro ball is for the ices. I also like to dish out Iron Barbs damage, so I usually use him as a suicide dude.






(NOTE SOMEONE DELETE MY OTHER THREAD IN THE OU TEAMS SECTIONS)


Ratings suggestions?




OLD TEAM MEMBERS

Cresselia

Armaldo

Ludicolo

Floatzel

 

[Krasnopesky]

How about a bulky Zapdos to replace Cressalia?

For example

Zapdos @ leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 225 HP - 252 Def - 4 Spe
Nature: Bold
- Roost
- Thunder
- Substitute
- Appropriate filler

 

[Forte.EXE]

I'm seriously not liking Armaldo on this team, at all. It really comes off as an inferior Kabutops. No STAB that's boosted by Rain, no Priority, and no way to deal with Nattorei at all does not a good Rain sweeper make. I'd recommend a Kabutops over Armaldo.

Kabutops @ Life Orb
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe
Ability: Swift Swim
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet / Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick

Aqua Jet / Waterfall is really just a choice between Power or Priority. The only common Fighting-type Priority user is Roobushin, which can't OHKO 100% HP Kabutops (IIRC). You could also work Aqua Tail over Waterfall, if you want to try that. Stone Edge hits Burungeru, Gyarados, Salamence, and all that other crazy crap that flies. +2 Low Kick OHKOs Nattorei, a problematic Pokemon for this team.

Cresselia is just a big no. Tyranitar is even more popular this Generation, with all the Sand sweepers, and it's just a liability. Moonlight is only healing Cresselia for 25% of its HP, also not good. I'd scrap Cresselia and replace it with either Specs Kingdra or Swords Dance Toxicroak.

Nattorei's set it is weird. Thunder Wave and Gyro Ball? Doesn't make much sense. I'd get rid of Gyro Ball, replace it with Stealth Rock. Oh, and if this is Dream World OU, I strongly suggest switching out Leftovers for Shed Shell, because Rain or not, Shandera WILL beat you with Scarf Overheat.

Politoed's set is also weird. You're running a (mostly) offensive team, but you've got a slow Politoed. I think ScarfToed would be better suited in this case, but if the set's work for you, then keep it.

Ludicolo's fine, no need to change it.

 

[Bea5]

First off, it doesn't seem like you put a large amount of though into this team, for it seems to have some pretty large wholes.

The biggest problem with rain teams right now is that sandstorm teams make up ~11% of the metagame. You need to take this into account while editing your team. Make sure to keep politoed alive to come in later, because one politoed is dead, Tyranitar and Doryuuzu can come in and sweep your team.

Have a reliable check to Doryuuzu even after rain is gone. Although is may seem rather stupid to use up an entire pokemon slot just to counter one threat, it's worth is in the long run. Try running a roopushin; TechniLoom; or, if you want something that can be further boosted by rain, choice band, aqua jet azumarill. All of these pokemon can reliably 0hko Doryuuzu via priority.

If you're even more worried about Sandstorm teams, use something like your Cresselia as TyraniBait and bring in a counter to kill him. A reliable counter would be something like Dugtrio, able to trap and Ko him using stabbed, 2x damaged earthquake. Then, once you play your toed, it's game over.

On my Rain teams, I prefer only running two rain dance abusers, while having some other pokemon able to abuse rain via other means, E.G. Zapdos; Jolteon.

All right, enough general strategy, let's get down to the specifics of your team.

Comments in Bold

Politoed (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Boil Over
- Perish Song
- Protect
- Toxic

The setter. It is very obvious on the reason why you would want to choose this pokemon. To set up rain boy. I use perish song for one reason TO ANNOY PEOPLE. People think they can set up in my face, and I just perish song them. I then protect to stall, and switch out for the last turn. During the Perish Song, I usually use toxic or boil over to dish out some damage. Either way the opponent is forced to switch out, or let their pokemon die. It is a GREAT way to get a free switch.

I don't have a problem with this set, just make SURE to switch him out before perish song kills him.

Edit: I'd either run surf over boil over or hypnosis over toxic. The former: Boil over's 30% chance of burn is negated if the opponent is already poisoned. Latter: Sleep hax.


(Floatzel) (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Brick Break
- Ice Punch
- Crunch

The reason why I chose this sweeper was to see if there was any other good sweepers other then the holy Kingdra. A Choice Band Waterfall under the rain is a big OUCH to those who even resists it. I have seen that this 2KOs a Politoed which was a WOW. Crunch for the ghosts, ice punch is for the nasty dragons and brick break is for the Nattorei. I absolutely cannot stand Nattorei! This little fella is a nice sweeper early and late game, and he is nice and shiny...

Try to avoid having a choice band on a swift swim pokemon. It just doesn't work. Give it a life orb and you'll only drop from a 1.5x damage multiplier to a 1.3x, aswell as gain the ability to sweep effectively.



Armaldo (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor
- Stone Edge

His shiny version looks like Mario. Although he is slow compared to the other swift swimmers, he is still a good sweeper. Surprisingly he survives Starmie's thunderbolt. X-Scissor KOs Latias and Latios, which to me is surprising. Mainly Earthquake and Stone Edge is your primary attack, but my lord is it effective. Armaldo is my late sweeper, after I dish out enough damage with my others. I chose this sweeper because Kingdra was boring. He does surprisingly well. Stone Edge for STAB and dragons, X-Scissor for psychics, and Earthquake is for coverage. Swords Dance is usually used when the opponent switches.

Lol. Why is it surprising that a non-stabbed thunderbolt from a 100 base SpA pokemon doing neutral damage to a 75/80 SpD pokemon doesn't 0hko? I don't even see how that could ever ko him. Also, it shouldn't be surprising that a stabbed x-scissor doing 2x damage ohkos a physically-defensive-lacking pokemon. Ok fine, I'll stop my trolling now.

This this isn't that great... at all. Get rid of it. The best part about a rain dance sweeper is that they get their Stabbed water-type attacks boosted to sky high levels by rain. This thing's typing and low speed does NOT compliment his ability well. Try replacing it with the Zapdos that Krasnopesky suggested or something such a a SpecsJolt. Something that can abuse thunder to give your mostly water type team a strong type contrast. Zapdos is able to switch into any electric-type attack, which waters are weak too, and get +1 to its special attack. Jolteon, also, is able to absorb electric attacks via Volt Absorb. Try one.



Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Moonlight

She absorbs all the nasty attacks. I set up my calm minds and become a monster to everyone. I usually use her to scout out pokemon, I basically use her to get 1 or 2 KOs before dying. I think I might replace her.. any suggestions? Psychic for STAB, Hidden power for coverage and moonlight for recovery.

Again, horrible set to use in the rain. This thing just doesn't fit at all with the rest of your team. It's a mixed wall trying to be a bulky Special attacker when it only has 75 SpA? It also has a move that wastes a turn healing 25% hp under rain? No thanks. Swap it out for a Roobushin, Breloom, Cb azumarill. You know, for sandstorm coverage.

Ludicolo (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain

Your classic sweeper. I use Hydro Pump for one little reason. I prefer power then accuracy. There are times where I must risk myself missing so I use that instead of surf or boiling over. Focus Blast is a 2KO to Nattorei, which I see more. Giga Drain is to replenish life orb damage, although I originally had energy ball but I really needed the HP! Ice Beam is for the dragons and is a 2KO to Jarooda.

I won't completely troll you on this choice of Mon (yet). But I will troll your moveset. Hydro Pump is garbage. Use surf. What can Hydro pump 2hko-0hko that surf can't? Practically nothing. Surf boasts higher pp, aswell as accuracy. Surf already has 190bp in rain after stab, with hydro pump at 240. It's just not worth it. Your chances of koing won't go up any.

You know, I never even liked Ludicolo as a rain-sweeper. It has a Low base 90 SpA, so it can't really abuse rain all that well. Kingdra is sitting just above that with 95 Base SpA/Att, but boasts WAY better offensive/defensive stabs, aswell as stat-boosting moves like dragon dance.

Edit: I know you hate Kingdra. How about you run A shell smash gorebyss/omastar instead? They're practically the same pokemon in rain teams except omastar has a tiny bit higher spa and speed and a horrible second typing.

Gorebyss/Omastar@life orb
Ability:Rain dance
Nature:Modest
4hp/252SpA/252spe
Shell Smash
Surf
Ice beam
Hidden Power[Grass]

Makes for a great special sweeper.






Nattorei (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave

I hate him so much I use him. I send him out on any grass types or any threats to my beautiful sweepers (except Armaldo!) Thunder Wave to give Armaldo an easy time, or drain their HP with leech seed. Power Whip is there to dish out damage and gyro ball is for the ices. I also like to dish out Iron Barbs damage, so I usually use him as a suicide dude.

Meh. This is a decent choice on rain teams, only having a 2x weakness to fire and fighting while in rain. Leave it if you wish.

Conclusion: Swap some pokemon out and you'll be ready to roll. Just watch out for common threats like Doryuuzu and Tyranitar, they'll spell an end to your sweep. Make sure to have appropriate counters to both, like the aforementioned Roop/loom/Azumarill. Happy battling!



Edit:

Nattorei's set it is weird. Thunder Wave and Gyro Ball? Doesn't make much sense. I'd get rid of Gyro Ball, replace it with Stealth Rock. Oh, and if this is Dream World OU, I strongly suggest switching out Leftovers for Shed Shell, because Rain or not, Shandera WILL beat you with Scarf Overheat.
Agreed. Listen to this guy.

Politoed's set is also weird. You're running a (mostly) offensive team, but you've got a slow Politoed. I think ScarfToed would be better suited in this case, but if the set's work for you, then keep it.
Disagreed. You want Politoed to be as bulky as possible to be able to set up rain whenever you need him. He may seem to slow down the momentum, but perish song works well to keep it going. Perish song makes people switch.

 

[ChaosNebula]

Thanks to Pure Beas for his suggestions and his comments. I'll try swapping Hydro Pump for Surf on ludicolo. I'll test out Shed Shell.

Armaldo I'll swap him out for Zapdos or Kabutops.

Recommended set for Zapdos?

Might as well swap Cresselia for Breloom - He looks cool, and sand coverage.

Once again thanks to Pure Beas for his helpful comments and Krasnopesky as well as Forte.exe.

NEW CHANGES

Floatzel now has life orb.

Trying out Bulky Zapdos

Testing Breloom over Cresselia.

Swapping Ludicolo for Kabutops

Any other suggestions?

 

[ChaosNebula]

Alright I tried out Zapdos and its doing pretty well! Kabutops is my excellent Nattorei counter and is doing well! And Breloom.. I swept an entire sand team with it.

Although something sounds off in my opinion. I am considering to replace Floatzel any suggestions?

I am thinking choiced Kingdra.. although I would like to use Poliwrath.. suggestions?

 

[Bea5]

If you think these changes are permanent, change your first post to match your new team.

Your current team (I think) Is:
Politoed
floatzel
Zapdos
Breloom
Kabutops
Nattorei

On Zapdos, if you haven't found a set that works yet, you can run

Zapdos@Leftovers/Life Orb
Nature:Modest
Ability:Lightning rod
96hp/252SpA/160Spe
Agility
Roost
Thunder
Hidden Power [Ice]/heat wave

With Agility and those evs, Zapdos is able to outspeed an adamant doryuuzu in the sand. Roost is meh. Just gives him some bulk. I really don't know why It's on there. Thunder is a the main stab attack, while Hp Ice/Heat wave give him much needed coverage.

Breloom@Life orb
Nature:adamant
Ability:Technician
4hp/252Att/252Spe
Spore
Mach Punch
Swords dance
Bullet seed.

This is arguably the best Breloom set right now, especially at at taking down sandstorm teams. Mach punch 0hkoes doryuuzu and Tyranitar without set up.

If you found a different set that works, by all means, use it.


Nattorei@Shed Shell/Leftovers/Rugged helmet
Nature:Sassy [+SpD/-Spe]
Ability: Iron Barbs
evs: 252 HP / 248 SpDef / 8 Def
Spikes/Stealth Rock/Leech seed
Spikes/stealth rock/Leech seed.
Gyro Ball
Power Whip
0spe Ivs

The item choice is dependent on what you need. Shed shell is to punch shandera in the face, who is the no. 1 most used pokemon right now. Rugged helmet + iron barbs make it so whenever a pokemon attacks you, they lose 36% of their hp, making rapid spinners fear you.
I just copied the evs from the basic set. I never know what evs to run on mixed walls.
Your team is lacking in Stealth rock support, so I would probably use a slot for stealth rock. However, spikes is pretty standard on Nattorei. Leech seed makes it so hardly any special based pokemon without a stab fire attack can 2hk0. With the -spe nature and 0 speed ivs, nattorei hits 40 speed, effectively making gyro ball 150 base power for anything sitting at 280+ (I think) speed. Power whip says hi to losers.

Anyway, rain teams are usually filled to the top with water pokemon, giving them a large grass/electric weakness. Zapdos enjoys that the rest of its team is weak to electric type attacks because it can switch into them with immunity and gain +1 SpA. Nattorei enjoys grass.


Anyway, Onto the floatzel issue. If you don't like using him, just switch to something else in the pool of rain sweepers. Try Shell Smash gorebyss or ChestoRest Kingdra.

 

[nyczxjay]

Zapdos@Leftovers/Life Orb
Nature:Modest
Ability:Lightning rod
96hp/252SpA/160Spe
Agility
Roost
Thunder
Hidden Power [Ice]/heat wave

With Agility and those evs, Zapdos is able to outspeed an adamant doryuuzu in the sand. Roost is meh. Just gives him some bulk. I really don't know why It's on there. Thunder is a the main stab attack, while Hp Ice/Heat wave give him much needed coverage.

Lightning Rod Zapdos cannot have Roost because it's a Gen 4 TM, which does not exist in Gen 5, and last I checked Zapdos can't learn Roost through level-up. It also can't have Heat Wave because it's a Gen 4 Move Tutor move.

 

[ChaosNebula]

It cannot have heat wave, but it can have roost. Apparently PO allows it. I have added the new changes, and request for a little more help.

I am considering in adding a Qwilfish in the team, and his explosions are beautiful. I am thinking of replacing Floatzel.. should I do it?

 

[Bea5]

Zapdos learns roost via Level up at level 57.

Also, Scratch heat wave. I forgot how useless it was in the rain. Oh well.

Explosion isn't that great anymore, seeing as its power was halved during the switch to 5th gen. Qwilfish and Kabutops basically act the same, only qwilfish has the ability to absorb toxic spikes. Toxic spikes usually aren't that damaging to rain teams, considering Zapdos and Nattorei are both unaffected by them, and Kingdra can just rest off the poison.

I'm still voting for you to try out a life orb surf gorebyss. Surf does major damage to everything, even with no shell smash set up.

Edit: If you want to get out of the normal swift swim sweepers, try a manaphy or a whiscash. Manaphy is able to boost his SpA up to +3 in a single turn of set-up via Tail glow. He's also able to instantly restore hp using rest, and then be cured of sleep via Hydration. Whiscash works the same way, only he uses dragon dance,

 

[ChaosNebula]

I'll try out Gorebyss as Whiscash has done horribly in my team.

 

[ChaosNebula]

Bump.