Overview: How can I put this? When I saw Parasect had the ability "dry Skin", it became clear to me that I needed to make a rain team in order to try using one. At first I did fantastic and couldn't be happier, but soon the metagame evolved without me, and all my wonderful pokemon began to disappoint me. But not Parasect. Never Parasect. In fact, my Parasect's performance has been so phenomenal that I've named the team after it, and am hoping to be able to build my team better around this unusual pokemon.
Special Rules: I absolutely refuse to abandon Parasect. Otherwise I'm playing by the OU rules presented by Smogon and used on Pokemon Online and Pokemon Showdown and such.
The Team:
Politoed @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Encore
Politoed makes it rain. I don't... I don't really think I need to explain why I'm including this one. I usually lead with it, unless the opposing team is using a weather team as well, in which case I wait it out. Always precedes Parasect, however.
Parasect @ Leftovers
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Careful Nature
- Spore
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- X-Scissor
This is really how it goes. Spore puts them to sleep. Leech seed drains their health, which is nice, and gives Parasect health back, which is great. Protect gives another turn to gain health. X-Scissor makes it difficult for people to switch into Espeon.
Xatu @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Careful Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SAtk / 30 Spd
- U-turn
- Rain Dance
- Night Shade
- Thunder Wave
Xatu and his magic bounce. Lots of people see both Politoed and Parasect as a chance to set up spikes and stealth rock. I don't have the patience to set up those sorts of things but I love having them. I prefer Xatu to Espeon currently if only for Earthquake immunity. Rain Dance gives me a last resort if someone manages to take out my Politoed, while thunder wave is for those things I don't think Parasect will be able to switch into and spore.
Volcarona @ Leftovers
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Quiver Dance
- Hurricane
I like opening with this guy when I choose not to open with Politoed. I see so many genesect leads, and a lot of them have thunderbolt to deal with me, so having someone who can eat genesect for breakfast is a huge plus. This pokemon has been a mixed bag for me. Whenever I can get a quiver dance off it's been devastating, but at other times it's hard to get much done. He does seem to help with Parasect's natural fire and ice counters, though. Not so much with his flying counters. Actually on that note I have no idea how to deal with things like hurricane.
Scizor @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bug Bite
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
Honestly I figured this guy would do great in the rain due to the weakness of fire moves. So far I'm not seeing it but you know, whatever. He can hurt things sometimes. I think I'm looking for more these days to be honest.
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Spd / 4 HP / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Confuse Ray
When Xatu fails (well, when I fail to predict), starmie provides excellent rapid spin support. Thunder and Scald seem to provide some awesome coverage in the rain. Confuse Ray is a last resort sort of thing but it does allow for parafusion, which is not only awesome but begins with para and thus fits my theme.
...
Anyway, I guess I'm looking for some advice on how to both improve the overall power of the team, and also to get more mileage out of Parasect in particular. I will not tolerate the words Ludicolo or Toxicroak unless those words are in the context of "Ludicolo is definitely inferior to parasect on an OU team" or "Toxicroak may be able to provide benefit to someone using a parasect." Or any variation thereof.
Right now my greatest enemy seems to be toxic, because it limits Parasect's staying power significantly. Parasect is too weak and slow to use substitute, but perhaps I could baton pass for this? Seems sort of like a weird way to baton pass but maybe? I was also considering replacing something with a user of heal bell. Wish seems less necessary. Also considering getting my own entry hazards, as leech seed can be eliminated by a switch and the sleep clause makes spore something I can't always rely on.
Thoughts?
