[SET]
name: Defensive Rain Setter
move 1: Scald
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog / Hurricane / Knock Off
item: Damp Rock
ability: Drizzle
nature: Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Scald is preferred due to having the chance to cause a burn. U-turn allows Pelipper to pivot out safely and provide a free switch for its rain sweeper teammates such as Mega Swampert and Ash-Greninja. Roost ensures that Pelipper stays healthy throughout the battle, allowing it to switch in and re-set the rain. Defog is useful for getting rid of entry hazards, which are very annoying for rain teams. Alternatively, Hurricane can be used to hit Pokemon like Tapu Bulu and Mega Lopunny super effectively and almost always OHKOes Hawlucha from full health. Finally, Knock Off is useful for removing items like Ferrothorn's Leftovers, Toxapex's Black Sludge, Tornadus-T's Rocky Helmet, Magearna's Assault Vest, and Chansey's Eviolite for its teammates to break more easily.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Pelipper's physical bulk, allowing it to take hits such as Mega Lopunny's Frustration and Mega Swampert's rain-boosted Waterfall. Minimum Speed is preferred so that Pelipper can be as slow as possible to let it bring its teammates in much more safely. It also lets it underspeed Tyranitar and the rare Hippowdon so that rain can override the sand in the lead matchup. Alternatively, an EV spread of 248 HP / 36 Def / 224 SpD can be used to allow Pelipper to survive a +2 Acrobatics from Hawlucha and soak up special attacks from Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona more easily.
Usage Tips
========
Pelipper should almost exclusively be used as a lead so that it can set up rain as early as possible and enable its teammates immediately. It is recommended to keep Pelipper healthy for rain teams to function because of its teammates being very dependent on rain to be threatening. Pelipper should also scout for any Electric-type coverage and Z Moves - that could potentially eliminate it such as Thunder Punch from Kommo-o and Continental Crush from Landorus-T. Avoid sacrificing Pelipper unless the remaining rain turns can let its teammates come in and win the game. Pelipper should also be wary of Knock Off, as losing its Damp Rock will heavily limit its rain.
Team Options
========
Mega Swampert is Pelipper's best partner, utilizing rain to fire off boosted Waterfall and outspeed most other Pokemon thanks to Swift Swim. It is a good Stealth Rock setter and has an Electric immunity, which allows it to take Electric-type attacks aimed at Pelipper. Thanks to the rain, Ash-Greninja can activate Battle Bond more easily. Tornadus-T and Tapu Koko love the support from rain, as it can allow them to fire off 100% accurate Hurricanes and Thunders. They can also provide additional momentum with U-turn and pressure bulky teams with Taunt. Additionally, Tornadus-T can check Grass-types like Serperior, Tapu Bulu, and Kartana while also providing Defog support to allow Pelipper to free up a moveslot. Manaphy is a great stallbreaker for rain teams thanks to Tail Glow and Hydration; under the rain, it is immune to status, can heal back up to full health in a single turn with Rest, and blows through even Water-resistant Pokemon such as Tapu Fini with its Tail Glow boosted Hydro Vortex, allowing Mega Swampert and Ash-Greninja to clean up. Ferrothorn provides a much-needed Psychic-resistant teammate; benefits from its reduced fire weakness under the rain; and provides crucial support in the form of entry hazards, status like Thunder Wave, and Knock Off. Alternatively, Kingdra and Crawdaunt can be used to provide additional Swift Swim support and break with Adaptability Knock Off and rain-boosted Crabhammer, respectively, despite being niche options. Magearna is an option for a Steel-type that can bring its teammates in safely with Volt Switch and possesses a valuable resistance to Flying and Dark that most rain teams don't have.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cm-reuniclus.620979/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
name: Defensive Rain Setter
move 1: Scald
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog / Hurricane / Knock Off
item: Damp Rock
ability: Drizzle
nature: Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Scald is preferred due to having the chance to cause a burn. U-turn allows Pelipper to pivot out safely and provide a free switch for its rain sweeper teammates such as Mega Swampert and Ash-Greninja. Roost ensures that Pelipper stays healthy throughout the battle, allowing it to switch in and re-set the rain. Defog is useful for getting rid of entry hazards, which are very annoying for rain teams. Alternatively, Hurricane can be used to hit Pokemon like Tapu Bulu and Mega Lopunny super effectively and almost always OHKOes Hawlucha from full health. Finally, Knock Off is useful for removing items like Ferrothorn's Leftovers, Toxapex's Black Sludge, Tornadus-T's Rocky Helmet, Magearna's Assault Vest, and Chansey's Eviolite for its teammates to break more easily.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Pelipper's physical bulk, allowing it to take hits such as Mega Lopunny's Frustration and Mega Swampert's rain-boosted Waterfall. Minimum Speed is preferred so that Pelipper can be as slow as possible to let it bring its teammates in much more safely. It also lets it underspeed Tyranitar and the rare Hippowdon so that rain can override the sand in the lead matchup. Alternatively, an EV spread of 248 HP / 36 Def / 224 SpD can be used to allow Pelipper to survive a +2 Acrobatics from Hawlucha and soak up special attacks from Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona more easily.
Usage Tips
========
Pelipper should almost exclusively be used as a lead so that it can set up rain as early as possible and enable its teammates immediately. It is recommended to keep Pelipper healthy for rain teams to function because of its teammates being very dependent on rain to be threatening. Pelipper should also scout for any Electric-type coverage and Z Moves - that could potentially eliminate it such as Thunder Punch from Kommo-o and Continental Crush from Landorus-T. Avoid sacrificing Pelipper unless the remaining rain turns can let its teammates come in and win the game. Pelipper should also be wary of Knock Off, as losing its Damp Rock will heavily limit its rain.
Team Options
========
Mega Swampert is Pelipper's best partner, utilizing rain to fire off boosted Waterfall and outspeed most other Pokemon thanks to Swift Swim. It is a good Stealth Rock setter and has an Electric immunity, which allows it to take Electric-type attacks aimed at Pelipper. Thanks to the rain, Ash-Greninja can activate Battle Bond more easily. Tornadus-T and Tapu Koko love the support from rain, as it can allow them to fire off 100% accurate Hurricanes and Thunders. They can also provide additional momentum with U-turn and pressure bulky teams with Taunt. Additionally, Tornadus-T can check Grass-types like Serperior, Tapu Bulu, and Kartana while also providing Defog support to allow Pelipper to free up a moveslot. Manaphy is a great stallbreaker for rain teams thanks to Tail Glow and Hydration; under the rain, it is immune to status, can heal back up to full health in a single turn with Rest, and blows through even Water-resistant Pokemon such as Tapu Fini with its Tail Glow boosted Hydro Vortex, allowing Mega Swampert and Ash-Greninja to clean up. Ferrothorn provides a much-needed Psychic-resistant teammate; benefits from its reduced fire weakness under the rain; and provides crucial support in the form of entry hazards, status like Thunder Wave, and Knock Off. Alternatively, Kingdra and Crawdaunt can be used to provide additional Swift Swim support and break with Adaptability Knock Off and rain-boosted Crabhammer, respectively, despite being niche options. Magearna is an option for a Steel-type that can bring its teammates in safely with Volt Switch and possesses a valuable resistance to Flying and Dark that most rain teams don't have.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cm-reuniclus.620979/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Last edited: