Posted in the right forum this time....
Introduction
So the story behind this team's creation is, while I was tutoring someone, I discovered that some guy suggested that he use Toxic Starmie (seriously, what the hell :|). Not standing for such a horrible suggestion, I told him to stop wasting his time and throw the team away, while I build him a "usable" rain team to use on the ladder. I originally made this team without any intention of using it, but after looking at it for a bit, discovered it is pretty cool, so I made some tweaks to it and been having some fun so far. Moxie Gyarados in rain is pretty beastly, with Choice Band Dragonite and Rapid Spin Starmie removing hazards and nuking the opposing team to support an easy sweep.
----------------
In-Depth Look
----------------
[a]1[/a]
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spd
Nature: Adamant [+Atk, -SAtk]
` Earthquake
` Outrage
` Waterfall
` ExtremeSpeed
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Dragonite replaces Tornadus, who was my primary rain abuser. While he still has the Stealth Rock weakness, he adds an extra electric resist to my team, while it can come in a sponge special hits. I find this set to be very frustrating to face when throwing Spikes into the equation, and it has worked wonders for me so far. The idea to use Dragonite came to me today, as I needed something which could deal with stuff like Rotom-W a little better (and preferably something that could abuse rain and hazards). While the drop in speed frustrates me a little bit, in the end, the power side has been amplified with Choice Band and Stealth Rock, while ExtremeSpeed checks faster threats that don't resist it, covering some of the speed issues.
---
[a]2[/a]
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helm
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Nature: Impish [+SDef -SAtk]
` Leech Seed
` Stealth Rock
` Bulldoze
` Power Whip
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Ferrothorn's role on my team is to set up Stealth Rock and help me with special threats such as Lati@s, Rotom-W etc. I have now switched back to Spikes, which further adds to the pressure this team can create. While a spin blocker would be nice, most common rapid spinners and taken about by Starmie + Ferrothorn, so I am not too bothered any more. Ferrothorn also helps me fight Volt-Turn teams, which have been rising in popularity over the past few weeks. Normally, when I see a Volt-Turn team in team preview, I lead with Ferrothorn and try and get up Stealth Rocks as soon as possible so they can't freely spam scouting moves early on. Volt-Turn teams are still difficult to handle, but Ferrothorn helps in some way at least.
---
[a]3[/a]
Politoed @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 236 HP / 252 SAtk / 20 Spd
Nature: Modest [+SAtk, -Atk]
` Hydro Pump
` Encore
` Ice Beam
` Hidden Power [Grass]
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Politoed is the weather inducer of choice, setting up a favourable weather condition Gyarados with a boosted Waterfall, weakening the power of fire-type moves for Ferrothorn, boosting the accuracy of Thunder and Hurricane to 100% while increasing the strength of Hydro Pump and water-type moves in general. The set of choice is Choice Scarf, which puts Politoed at 394 speed, enough to out-speed the likes of Gengar, non scarfed / polished Terrakions and Alakazam. Focus Blast is reserved for things such as Ferrothorn. Encore is used over Perish Song to mess up those frustrating SubDD Dragonite sets, while Ice Beam is reserved for dragon-types. This, and the Choice Specs sets are what I have had most success with when using Politoed, so I decided to go with what I know, rather than venturing out there to see what other possibilities are out there. If there is another set I would consider over Specs or Scarf, it would probably be the the 3 Attacks set on the analysis, which still retains the offensive nature, but grants me the ability to switch moves.
---
[a]4[/a]
Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Nature: Timid [+Spd, -Atk]
` Hydro Pump
` Ice Beam
` Thunder
` Rapid Spin
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Starmie supports this team by removing frustrating entry hazards like Spikes and Toxic Spikes, while removing Stealth Rock, which shortens the lifespan of Tornadus and Gyarados. As well as being a decent support Pokémon, Starmie doubles up as a strong rain sweeper, with it's boosted Hydro Pumps. Between Tentacruel and Starmie, I felt Starmie was the superior option on this team due to it's fast, sweeping nature. I chose to use Leftovers over Life Orb because I lack recover, and switching in + Life Orb recoil adds up pretty quickly. Hidden Power Grass allows me to hit Water-types, especially Ground / Water types such as Swampert (lol) and Gastrodon (who is set up on by Gyarados anyway, but it's still nice when he is removed from the picture). Ice Beam allows coverage over Dragon-types not holding a Choice Scarf.
---
[a]5[/a]
Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 84 Spd
Nature: Impish [+Def, -SAtk]
` Earthquake
` Swords Dance
` Protect
` Ice Fang
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
A rather odd choice, but I needed something to be able to do something to Terrakion (especially scarf variants), which could wipe out my entire team. Gliscor is essentially the Pokémon that helps me with physically offensive threats. Like Starmie, I had two options with Gliscor, I either use the defensive set, or I go down the Swords Dance route. There are two reasons why I chose Swords Dance. The first being that because of the offensive nature of the team, Swords Dance compliments it well, with the second reason being that I don't like having only one attacking move. Gone back to using Ice Fang so Gengar can't come in for free. I interchange between Taunt and Protect, which both benefit my team in some way (Taunt for Stall + Ferrothorn, Protect for Scarf Rotom scouting).
---
[a]6[/a]
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 56 HP / 248 Atk / 204 Spd
Nature: Adamant [+Atk, -SAtk]
` Substitute
` Dragon Dance
` Bounce
` Waterfall
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Gyarados rounds the team off by being the game ender. By avoiding status, Gyarados has more breathing room to set up multiple Dragon Dances, while benefiting from the boost from rain and getting extra leftovers recovery with Bounce. It is pretty essential that my other Pokémon have done their part in weakening my opponent's team and removing Stealth Rock (though I guess I can recover some damage from that with Bounce), as I want the best possible environment for Gyarados to set up Dragon Dance and sweep without much interruption. Moxie is the ability of choice for Gyarados. While Intimidate can make setting up a bit easier, it's harder to stop Gyarados when Moxie is boosting his attack to ridiculous levels with every kill. Bounce allows me to hit fighting types and anything that resists Waterfall, while granting me an extra turn of recovery from Leftovers.
Export to Text
Threat List
Tyranitar:
Rotom-W:
Scizor:
Dragonite:
Politoed:
Heatran:
Jirachi:
Latios:
Reuniclus:
Haxorus:
Ninetales:
Conkeldurr:
Celebi:
Terrakion:
Gyarados:
Gengar:
Starmie:
Landorus:
Infernape:
Volcarona:
Magnezone:
Espeon:
Salamence:
Hydreigon:
Breloom:
Latias:
Toxicroak:
Lucario:
Virizion:
Scrafty:
Venusaur:
Metagross:
Mienshao:
Cloyster:
Mamoswine:
Darmanitan:
Tornadus:
Abomasnow:
Alakazam:
Azelf:
Azumarill:
Deoxys-D:
Dugtrio:
Empoleon:
Gorebyss:
Kingdra:
Kyurem:
Victini:
Stoutland:
Smeargle:
Sharpedo:
Rotom-C:
Tyranitar:
Rotom-W:
Ferrothorn:
Politoed:
Gliscor:
Heatran:
Jirachi:
Skarmory:
Ninetales:
Celebi:
Forretress:
Gyarados:
Jellicent:
Tentacruel:
Gastrodon:
Espeon:
Blissey:
Vaporeon:
Latias:
Bronzong:
Swampert:
Mew:
Slowbro:
Quagsire:
Cresselia:
Deoxys-D:
Empoleon:
Hippowdon:
Xatu:
Wobbuffet:
Whimsicott:
Tangrowth:
Sableye:
Porygon2:
Chansey:
Conclusion
Thanks for taking the time to read this team. While I have mostly used Sand this gen, this team has sparked my interest in Rain again, so I think I will give that a try for awhile. As I said before, this probably as generic as they come with rain teams, but it has worked well for me (and my student). I can't think of much else I can do with the team to make it better, so I might as well post it for some criticism and suggestions.
PS - Rotom and Terra weak. Gastro is ass.
Introduction
So the story behind this team's creation is, while I was tutoring someone, I discovered that some guy suggested that he use Toxic Starmie (seriously, what the hell :|). Not standing for such a horrible suggestion, I told him to stop wasting his time and throw the team away, while I build him a "usable" rain team to use on the ladder. I originally made this team without any intention of using it, but after looking at it for a bit, discovered it is pretty cool, so I made some tweaks to it and been having some fun so far. Moxie Gyarados in rain is pretty beastly, with Choice Band Dragonite and Rapid Spin Starmie removing hazards and nuking the opposing team to support an easy sweep.
Team Overview
|[jump=1]-[/jump]
[jump=1]-[/jump]|[jump=2]-[/jump]
[jump=2]-[/jump]|[jump=3]-[/jump]
[jump=3]-[/jump]|[jump=4]-[/jump]
[jump=4]-[/jump]|[jump=5]-[/jump]
[jump=5]-[/jump]|[jump=6]-[/jump]
[jump=6]-[/jump]|
|[jump=1]-[/jump]
----------------
In-Depth Look
----------------
[a]1[/a]
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spd
Nature: Adamant [+Atk, -SAtk]
` Earthquake
` Outrage
` Waterfall
` ExtremeSpeed
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Dragonite replaces Tornadus, who was my primary rain abuser. While he still has the Stealth Rock weakness, he adds an extra electric resist to my team, while it can come in a sponge special hits. I find this set to be very frustrating to face when throwing Spikes into the equation, and it has worked wonders for me so far. The idea to use Dragonite came to me today, as I needed something which could deal with stuff like Rotom-W a little better (and preferably something that could abuse rain and hazards). While the drop in speed frustrates me a little bit, in the end, the power side has been amplified with Choice Band and Stealth Rock, while ExtremeSpeed checks faster threats that don't resist it, covering some of the speed issues.
---
[a]2[/a]
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helm
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Nature: Impish [+SDef -SAtk]
` Leech Seed
` Stealth Rock
` Bulldoze
` Power Whip
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Ferrothorn's role on my team is to set up Stealth Rock and help me with special threats such as Lati@s, Rotom-W etc. I have now switched back to Spikes, which further adds to the pressure this team can create. While a spin blocker would be nice, most common rapid spinners and taken about by Starmie + Ferrothorn, so I am not too bothered any more. Ferrothorn also helps me fight Volt-Turn teams, which have been rising in popularity over the past few weeks. Normally, when I see a Volt-Turn team in team preview, I lead with Ferrothorn and try and get up Stealth Rocks as soon as possible so they can't freely spam scouting moves early on. Volt-Turn teams are still difficult to handle, but Ferrothorn helps in some way at least.
---
[a]3[/a]
Politoed @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 236 HP / 252 SAtk / 20 Spd
Nature: Modest [+SAtk, -Atk]
` Hydro Pump
` Encore
` Ice Beam
` Hidden Power [Grass]
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Politoed is the weather inducer of choice, setting up a favourable weather condition Gyarados with a boosted Waterfall, weakening the power of fire-type moves for Ferrothorn, boosting the accuracy of Thunder and Hurricane to 100% while increasing the strength of Hydro Pump and water-type moves in general. The set of choice is Choice Scarf, which puts Politoed at 394 speed, enough to out-speed the likes of Gengar, non scarfed / polished Terrakions and Alakazam. Focus Blast is reserved for things such as Ferrothorn. Encore is used over Perish Song to mess up those frustrating SubDD Dragonite sets, while Ice Beam is reserved for dragon-types. This, and the Choice Specs sets are what I have had most success with when using Politoed, so I decided to go with what I know, rather than venturing out there to see what other possibilities are out there. If there is another set I would consider over Specs or Scarf, it would probably be the the 3 Attacks set on the analysis, which still retains the offensive nature, but grants me the ability to switch moves.
---
[a]4[/a]
Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Nature: Timid [+Spd, -Atk]
` Hydro Pump
` Ice Beam
` Thunder
` Rapid Spin
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Starmie supports this team by removing frustrating entry hazards like Spikes and Toxic Spikes, while removing Stealth Rock, which shortens the lifespan of Tornadus and Gyarados. As well as being a decent support Pokémon, Starmie doubles up as a strong rain sweeper, with it's boosted Hydro Pumps. Between Tentacruel and Starmie, I felt Starmie was the superior option on this team due to it's fast, sweeping nature. I chose to use Leftovers over Life Orb because I lack recover, and switching in + Life Orb recoil adds up pretty quickly. Hidden Power Grass allows me to hit Water-types, especially Ground / Water types such as Swampert (lol) and Gastrodon (who is set up on by Gyarados anyway, but it's still nice when he is removed from the picture). Ice Beam allows coverage over Dragon-types not holding a Choice Scarf.
---
[a]5[/a]
Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 84 Spd
Nature: Impish [+Def, -SAtk]
` Earthquake
` Swords Dance
` Protect
` Ice Fang
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
A rather odd choice, but I needed something to be able to do something to Terrakion (especially scarf variants), which could wipe out my entire team. Gliscor is essentially the Pokémon that helps me with physically offensive threats. Like Starmie, I had two options with Gliscor, I either use the defensive set, or I go down the Swords Dance route. There are two reasons why I chose Swords Dance. The first being that because of the offensive nature of the team, Swords Dance compliments it well, with the second reason being that I don't like having only one attacking move. Gone back to using Ice Fang so Gengar can't come in for free. I interchange between Taunt and Protect, which both benefit my team in some way (Taunt for Stall + Ferrothorn, Protect for Scarf Rotom scouting).
---
[a]6[/a]
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 56 HP / 248 Atk / 204 Spd
Nature: Adamant [+Atk, -SAtk]
` Substitute
` Dragon Dance
` Bounce
` Waterfall
.......................
Comments & Suggestions:
Gyarados rounds the team off by being the game ender. By avoiding status, Gyarados has more breathing room to set up multiple Dragon Dances, while benefiting from the boost from rain and getting extra leftovers recovery with Bounce. It is pretty essential that my other Pokémon have done their part in weakening my opponent's team and removing Stealth Rock (though I guess I can recover some damage from that with Bounce), as I want the best possible environment for Gyarados to set up Dragon Dance and sweep without much interruption. Moxie is the ability of choice for Gyarados. While Intimidate can make setting up a bit easier, it's harder to stop Gyarados when Moxie is boosting his attack to ridiculous levels with every kill. Bounce allows me to hit fighting types and anything that resists Waterfall, while granting me an extra turn of recovery from Leftovers.
Export to Text
Code:
Dragonite (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Waterfall
- ExtremeSpeed
Ferrothorn (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
- Bulldoze
- Power Whip
Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Thunder
- Rapid Spin
Politoed (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 236 HP / 252 SAtk / 20 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Encore
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 84 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Protect
- Ice Fang
Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 56 HP / 248 Atk / 204 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- WaterfallThreat List
- Choice Band -
- Choice Scarf -
- Dragon Dance -
- Choice Scarf / Specs -
- Support -
- Choice Band -
- Swords Dance -
- Bulky Swords Dance -
- Choice Band -
- Dragon Dance -
- Mixed -
- Parashuffler -
- Rain Abuse -
- Choice Specs / Scarf -
- 3 Attacks -
- Standard -
- Substitute + Calm Mind / Wish + Calm Mind -
- Expert Belt -
- Choice Scarf -
- Life Orb / Expert Belt -
- Choice Scarf / Specs -
- Calm Mind -
- Calm Mind -
- Offensive Trick Room -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Band -
- Dragon Dance -
- Double Dance -
- Nasty Plot -
- Choice Specs -
- Special Attacker -
- Bulk Up -
- Flame Orb + 3 Attacks -
- Nasty Plot Sweeper -
- Tinkerbell -
- Choice Specs / Choice Scarf -
- Double Dance -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Band -
- Substitute + Swords Dance -
- Offensive / Bulky Dragon Dance -
- Choice Band / Choice Scarf -
- Substitute + Disable / Pain Split -
- Life Orb -
- Rapid Spin -
- Choice Specs -
- Rock Polish / Swords Dance -
- Choice Scarf -
- Substitute + 3 Attacks -
- Mixed Attacker -
- Nasty Plot / Swords Dance Booster -
- Choice Band -
- Offensive Quiver Dance -
- Bulky Quiver Dance -
- Chesto Rest -
- Substitute -
- Substitute -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Specs -
- Calm Mind -
- Bulky Sun Attacker / Passer -
- Dragon Dance -
- Mixed -
- Defensive -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Band -
- Offensive -
- Choice Specs / Choice Scarf -
- Substitute -
- Bulk Up -
- Sub Seed -
- Sub Punch -
- Calm Mind -
- Offensive Tank -
- Choice Specs -
- Swords Dance -
- Bulk Up -
- Swords Dance -
- Nasty Plot -
- Calm Mind -
- Swords Dance -
- Dual Screens -
- Dragon Dance -
- Bulk Up -
- Special Growth -
- Mixed Growth -
- SubSeed -
- Stealth Rock -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Band -
- Agility -
- All-Out Attacker -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Band -
- Shell Smash -
- Utility -
- Physical Attacker -
- Focus Sash + Endeavor -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Band -
- Rain Abuser -
- Choice Specs -
- Choice Scarf -
- SubSeed -
- Mixed Attacker -
- Substitute + 3 Attacks -
- Offensive Calm Mind -
- Focus Sash -
- Dual Screens -
- Lead -
- Nasty Plot -
- Choice Band -
- Choice Band -
- Fast Spiker -
- Focus Sash -
- Choice Band -
- Agility -
- Choice Specs -
- SmashPass -
- Shell Smash Sweeper -
- Dragon Dance -
- Rain Dance -
- Choice Specs -
- Choice -
- Substitute + 3 Attacks -
- Choice Band / Scarf -
- Physical Attacker -
- Choice Band -
- Baton Pass -
- Speed Boost -
- Choice Scarf / Choice Specs -
- Support -
- Specially Defensive -
- Standard -
- Standard -
- Defensive -
- Swords Dance -
- Substitute + Protect -
- AcroBat -
- Defensive -
- Specially Defensive -
- Specially Defensive -
- Physically Defensive Spiker -
- Specially Defensive Spiker -
- Specially Defensive -
- Physically Defensive -
- Physically Defensive Spiker -
- Specially Defensive Spiker -
- RestTalk -
- Utility Counter -
- Toxic Spikes -
- Tank -
- Dual Screens -
- Baton Pass -
- Support -
- Wish Support -
- Support -
- Tank -
- Dual Screens -
- Defensive -
- Stallbreaker -
- Tank -
- Curse -
- Specially Defensive -
- Physically Defensive -
- Support -
- Dual Screens -
- Bulky Spiker -
- Toxic Staller -
- Specially Defensive -
- Physical Tank -
- Standard -
- Dual Screens -
- Bulky -
- Prankster -
- Physically Defensive -
- Prankster -
- Defensive -
- Support -
Conclusion
Thanks for taking the time to read this team. While I have mostly used Sand this gen, this team has sparked my interest in Rain again, so I think I will give that a try for awhile. As I said before, this probably as generic as they come with rain teams, but it has worked well for me (and my student). I can't think of much else I can do with the team to make it better, so I might as well post it for some criticism and suggestions.
PS - Rotom and Terra weak. Gastro is ass.
