The Soggy Brooms
Overview: This isn't my first team, but it is my first attempt at a weather-based team. I chose Rain, because it makes the handful of Pokemon that can abuse it downright destructive. And the team name, "The Soggy Brooms," is because they're Rain sweepers. Get it, sweeping in the rain = soggy brooms :p Yeah, I know, not funny.
The Rain Lead
Zapdos @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/160 Def/96 SDef
Calm nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
- Thunder
- U-turn
- Rain Dance
- Roar
Description: Zapdos is really good as a Rain Dancer. It sets up the 8 turn rain first, usually while the other lead either uses Stealth Rock or tricks a Scarf (in the latter case I lose the 8 turns, but still get some rain anyway). Once it's raining, Zapdos can either take advantage of it with 100% accurate STAB Thunder, or use a slow U-Turn to absorb a hit while safely getting in one of the sweepers, often with enough health left to come back in and use Rain Dance again later in the battle. Roost is filler, as I never really find time to use it - Zapdos' goal in life is to make it rain and get a sweeper in, so I don't like wasting a turn to Roost. Replacing Roost with Roar was good advice. It stops Ninjask from trying to pass boosts, and is just really useful in many situations.
Here's how Zapdos does against some common leads. Azelf usually sets up Stealth Rocks, and then Explodes, killing Zapdos. Occasionally they'll Explode first turn to prevent me from Rain Dancing at all, but something else can set up rain if that happens. Metagross will either SR or Trick, which lets me get up rain either way, though losing the Damp Rock is kind of annoying. Lead Infernape don't usually have Stone Edge, so Zapdos doesn't have to worry about them. Against Leads that try to induce Sleep, I just kind of take a chance and stay in (unless it's Breloom with Spore, in which case I switch in Scizor to take the Sleep.)
I used the EV spread suggested by Scepticallistic, but as far as replacing him with another lead goes, I don't want to. Zapdos has been doing really well for me, so I see no reason to take a chance with Jirachi or Crobat. And Bronzong was my original lead that didn't work out, so he's definetly not coming back.
The Obligatory Swift Swim Kingdra
Kingdra (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk/16 Spd/240 SAtk
Naughty nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Waterfall
- Hydro Pump
- Draco Meteor
- Signal Beam
Description: What Rain Dance team doesn't have one of these? Kingdra is the premier rain abuser, and was the one Pokemon I had in mind when building the team. Hopefully Zapdos will have given my 8 turns of rain, get hit by an attack on the 2nd turn, and U-Turn Kingdra in safely. From there, I'll Waterfall if I know I can kill the opponent, Dragon Dance if I predict a switch, or Sub if I think a status ailment or Explosion is coming. Outrage is more of a last resort move, since I don't like being locked in, especially if the rain ends in the middle of it.
The most common switch-in to this is a Gyarados. The Gyarados thinks I'll switch and Dragon Dances, though I stay in and DD as well, allowing me to KO with Outrage. Though being locked in allows something resistant to Dragon to come in and kill Kingdra. I've seen Latias try and stop Kingdra too, though it's easily outsped and killed with Outrage.
I've tried the new set, and it's good, but I'm questioning why Hydro Pump is there. I'd rather have Outrage as a kind of last resort move when I know Kingdra's got to go down.
Poncho
Ludicolo (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
Description: This is the second of my team's three Rain Rapists. His 3 attacks give good coverage, though Surf alone is usually enough to get the job done. The reason I used Energy Ball over Grass Knot is because it does more damage to Vaporeon, who absorbs my Surfs. Anything that Grass Knot would damage more isn't enough of a threat to warrant its use for me. I swapped for Grass Knot, because the concensus was it's a better move.
Ludicolo can set up a 5 turn rain if he has to, though he'd prefer to let one of the Damp Rock holders do it. There's not much more to say about him... Just a standard Swift Swim Ludicolo.
The Thunder Abuser
Jolteon (M) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power (Grass)
- Rain Dance
Description: It may be redundant to have this guy, what with Zapdos on the team, but my lead was a Bronzong when I picked up Jolteon. And since there's always a good chance Zapdos will be killed by an Exploding suicide lead, it's good to have Jolteon on backup.
Because of his frailty, Jolteon usually comes in after one of my other Pokemon has fainted, switches in to another Jolteon who's fixing to launch an Electric attack, or as a Zapdos U-Turn recepient. Jolteon will typically fire off random Thunders, unless I switched him in to a Jolteon for a Volt Absorb heal. The other Jolteon will usually switch, allowing me to Sub. Depending on what comes in, I can hit it with Thunder or Baton Pass the Sub to someone.
When dealing with other weather teams, Jolteon is hit or miss. He can't do much against Sandstorm teams, but has proven to be a reliable check to Stallrein on Hail teams. After Abamasnow is dead and someone uses Rain Dance, then the ever-annoying Stallrein is reduced to a minor nuisance. Jolteon Subs, avoiding its Toxic, and then launches an assault of 100% accurate, 30% Protect-destroying Thunders.
Charge Beam is filler. Now and then I'll see an oppurtunity to use it, and the Special Attack boost is a handy thing to Baton Pass to Ludicolo or Omastar, but I'd rather get a different attack in the fourth slot so I'm not walled by Ground types and other Jolteon/Electivire.
Jolteon is now another Rain Dancer, and one of three who can take immediate advantage of the weather with Thunder. Even if it seems pointless to have three Thunder abusing Electric types, Jolteon is the only one that even gets hit by Earthquake, so it's not like I'm giving myself three Ground weaknesses. Zapdos' primary goal is making it rain, and just Thunders now and then, so Jolteon is the main guy who just comes in and blindfires the Thunder.
The OmaStar of the Show
Omastar (M) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Ancientpower
- Rain Dance
Description: I didn't change a thing about him, despite the numerous suggestions of using Kabutops or Qwilfish. I just... really like Omastar, and he hasn't proved to be an inferior Swift Swimmer. Besides absorbing Toxic Spikes, are there any really critical reasons why I should have Qwilfish here instead? I'll replace Omastar with good enough reason, but I'm fond of him so I'm not ditching him because of a Toxic Spikes weakness.
It may be surprising that on a team with Zapdos, Kingdra, and Scizor that the most beastly Pokemon is actually Omastar. His rain-boosted Surf, firing off of 115 Special Attack is just killer. Ice Beam hits Grass types and Dragons, while Ancientpower is really just for Gyarados, but I'll use it if I feel safe enough to try and get the stat raise.
With a Damp Rock, he's the other team member that can set up long rain after Zapdos is gone. And his Defense usually allows him to survive a hit in order to do that. It's a beutiful thing to watch an Omastar utterly sweep a team. Gengar, Salamence, all of those big scary OU Pokemon getting their world rocked by the little fossil that could.
Even though Omastar is slow, he outspeeds enough in the rain that I don't feel like I need Timid. If my other Rain Dancers are gone and I know it's up to him, then I'll try and Baton Pass him a Sub from Jolteon or an Agility from Scizor, just to help him get his sweep started.
The New Guy
Rotom-W @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Shadow Ball
Description: So there were several suggestions when it came to Scizor, both using a Swords Dance set and downright replacing him. I tried the RestTalk Gyarados and Porygon2, as well as trying to use Scizor differently. Though after giving Wash Rotom a chance, I feel like I found the missing link. Those pesky Azelf, Metagross, and Bronzong who Explode after Zapdos Rain Dances hoping to KO one of my Rain Sweepers are met with this, who can use accurate Thunder or rain-boosted Hydro Pump. He's also the third Damp Rock holder, allowing me another Pokemon to set up long rain with.
Honestly, if I put Kabutops or Qwilfish on this team, Rotom-W would probably be replaced, just because I like the rest of the team a lot. The immunity to Explosion is what's keeping him around though, something that no other common Rain Team Pokemon can bring me. Maybe if I replace Roar with Protect on Zapdos, then it would cover the one true benefit Rotom-W brings me, allowing me a slot for Qwilfish or whatever. Your thoughts?
Against Other Weather Teams: This team is surprisingly good at beating Sandstorm and Hail teams. Pretty much everyone can do major damage to the Ground and Rock types after Zapdos washes away their Sandstorm, and the Sand Streamers are slow enough to get outsped and killed even if I don't have any rain.
Hail teams are kind of a pain because I can't hit everything for super effective damage, but they're not too bad. Zapdos outspeeds Abamasnow, making it Rain before he can use Blizzard. If Zapdos survives the first attack, then it U-Turns out, taking a chunk out of Abamasnow's health and leaving him weak enough to be picked off by whoever comes in. Once the only Hail-inducer is gone, my guys can set up rain without worry and do their thing.
The Team Building Process:
It started out with TorrentialZong setting up rain for Kingdra.
Ludicolo and Omastar were chosen out of the other Swift Swimmers.
Jolteon was picked to take advantage of Thunder in the rain, and Scizor got thrown in there because the guide suggested it.
Bronzong wasn't doing well, as after he Rain Danced there wasn't much he could do besides Explode (and suicide leads don't appeal to me.) So it was replaced with Zapdos, who's been doing extremely well.
Amidst a lot more advice than I thought I'd get, the only Pokemon I replaced was Scizor. If I changed everything for everything that was suggested, I'd have a whole new team >.<
Overview: This isn't my first team, but it is my first attempt at a weather-based team. I chose Rain, because it makes the handful of Pokemon that can abuse it downright destructive. And the team name, "The Soggy Brooms," is because they're Rain sweepers. Get it, sweeping in the rain = soggy brooms :p Yeah, I know, not funny.
The Rain Lead
Zapdos @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/160 Def/96 SDef
Calm nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
- Thunder
- U-turn
- Rain Dance
- Roar
Description: Zapdos is really good as a Rain Dancer. It sets up the 8 turn rain first, usually while the other lead either uses Stealth Rock or tricks a Scarf (in the latter case I lose the 8 turns, but still get some rain anyway). Once it's raining, Zapdos can either take advantage of it with 100% accurate STAB Thunder, or use a slow U-Turn to absorb a hit while safely getting in one of the sweepers, often with enough health left to come back in and use Rain Dance again later in the battle. Roost is filler, as I never really find time to use it - Zapdos' goal in life is to make it rain and get a sweeper in, so I don't like wasting a turn to Roost. Replacing Roost with Roar was good advice. It stops Ninjask from trying to pass boosts, and is just really useful in many situations.
Here's how Zapdos does against some common leads. Azelf usually sets up Stealth Rocks, and then Explodes, killing Zapdos. Occasionally they'll Explode first turn to prevent me from Rain Dancing at all, but something else can set up rain if that happens. Metagross will either SR or Trick, which lets me get up rain either way, though losing the Damp Rock is kind of annoying. Lead Infernape don't usually have Stone Edge, so Zapdos doesn't have to worry about them. Against Leads that try to induce Sleep, I just kind of take a chance and stay in (unless it's Breloom with Spore, in which case I switch in Scizor to take the Sleep.)
I used the EV spread suggested by Scepticallistic, but as far as replacing him with another lead goes, I don't want to. Zapdos has been doing really well for me, so I see no reason to take a chance with Jirachi or Crobat. And Bronzong was my original lead that didn't work out, so he's definetly not coming back.
The Obligatory Swift Swim Kingdra
Kingdra (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk/16 Spd/240 SAtk
Naughty nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Waterfall
- Hydro Pump
- Draco Meteor
- Signal Beam
Description: What Rain Dance team doesn't have one of these? Kingdra is the premier rain abuser, and was the one Pokemon I had in mind when building the team. Hopefully Zapdos will have given my 8 turns of rain, get hit by an attack on the 2nd turn, and U-Turn Kingdra in safely. From there, I'll Waterfall if I know I can kill the opponent, Dragon Dance if I predict a switch, or Sub if I think a status ailment or Explosion is coming. Outrage is more of a last resort move, since I don't like being locked in, especially if the rain ends in the middle of it.
The most common switch-in to this is a Gyarados. The Gyarados thinks I'll switch and Dragon Dances, though I stay in and DD as well, allowing me to KO with Outrage. Though being locked in allows something resistant to Dragon to come in and kill Kingdra. I've seen Latias try and stop Kingdra too, though it's easily outsped and killed with Outrage.
I've tried the new set, and it's good, but I'm questioning why Hydro Pump is there. I'd rather have Outrage as a kind of last resort move when I know Kingdra's got to go down.
Poncho
Ludicolo (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
Description: This is the second of my team's three Rain Rapists. His 3 attacks give good coverage, though Surf alone is usually enough to get the job done. The reason I used Energy Ball over Grass Knot is because it does more damage to Vaporeon, who absorbs my Surfs. Anything that Grass Knot would damage more isn't enough of a threat to warrant its use for me. I swapped for Grass Knot, because the concensus was it's a better move.
Ludicolo can set up a 5 turn rain if he has to, though he'd prefer to let one of the Damp Rock holders do it. There's not much more to say about him... Just a standard Swift Swim Ludicolo.
The Thunder Abuser
Jolteon (M) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power (Grass)
- Rain Dance
Description: It may be redundant to have this guy, what with Zapdos on the team, but my lead was a Bronzong when I picked up Jolteon. And since there's always a good chance Zapdos will be killed by an Exploding suicide lead, it's good to have Jolteon on backup.
Because of his frailty, Jolteon usually comes in after one of my other Pokemon has fainted, switches in to another Jolteon who's fixing to launch an Electric attack, or as a Zapdos U-Turn recepient. Jolteon will typically fire off random Thunders, unless I switched him in to a Jolteon for a Volt Absorb heal. The other Jolteon will usually switch, allowing me to Sub. Depending on what comes in, I can hit it with Thunder or Baton Pass the Sub to someone.
When dealing with other weather teams, Jolteon is hit or miss. He can't do much against Sandstorm teams, but has proven to be a reliable check to Stallrein on Hail teams. After Abamasnow is dead and someone uses Rain Dance, then the ever-annoying Stallrein is reduced to a minor nuisance. Jolteon Subs, avoiding its Toxic, and then launches an assault of 100% accurate, 30% Protect-destroying Thunders.
Charge Beam is filler. Now and then I'll see an oppurtunity to use it, and the Special Attack boost is a handy thing to Baton Pass to Ludicolo or Omastar, but I'd rather get a different attack in the fourth slot so I'm not walled by Ground types and other Jolteon/Electivire.
Jolteon is now another Rain Dancer, and one of three who can take immediate advantage of the weather with Thunder. Even if it seems pointless to have three Thunder abusing Electric types, Jolteon is the only one that even gets hit by Earthquake, so it's not like I'm giving myself three Ground weaknesses. Zapdos' primary goal is making it rain, and just Thunders now and then, so Jolteon is the main guy who just comes in and blindfires the Thunder.
The OmaStar of the Show
Omastar (M) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Ancientpower
- Rain Dance
Description: I didn't change a thing about him, despite the numerous suggestions of using Kabutops or Qwilfish. I just... really like Omastar, and he hasn't proved to be an inferior Swift Swimmer. Besides absorbing Toxic Spikes, are there any really critical reasons why I should have Qwilfish here instead? I'll replace Omastar with good enough reason, but I'm fond of him so I'm not ditching him because of a Toxic Spikes weakness.
It may be surprising that on a team with Zapdos, Kingdra, and Scizor that the most beastly Pokemon is actually Omastar. His rain-boosted Surf, firing off of 115 Special Attack is just killer. Ice Beam hits Grass types and Dragons, while Ancientpower is really just for Gyarados, but I'll use it if I feel safe enough to try and get the stat raise.
With a Damp Rock, he's the other team member that can set up long rain after Zapdos is gone. And his Defense usually allows him to survive a hit in order to do that. It's a beutiful thing to watch an Omastar utterly sweep a team. Gengar, Salamence, all of those big scary OU Pokemon getting their world rocked by the little fossil that could.
Even though Omastar is slow, he outspeeds enough in the rain that I don't feel like I need Timid. If my other Rain Dancers are gone and I know it's up to him, then I'll try and Baton Pass him a Sub from Jolteon or an Agility from Scizor, just to help him get his sweep started.
The New Guy
Rotom-W @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Shadow Ball
Description: So there were several suggestions when it came to Scizor, both using a Swords Dance set and downright replacing him. I tried the RestTalk Gyarados and Porygon2, as well as trying to use Scizor differently. Though after giving Wash Rotom a chance, I feel like I found the missing link. Those pesky Azelf, Metagross, and Bronzong who Explode after Zapdos Rain Dances hoping to KO one of my Rain Sweepers are met with this, who can use accurate Thunder or rain-boosted Hydro Pump. He's also the third Damp Rock holder, allowing me another Pokemon to set up long rain with.
Honestly, if I put Kabutops or Qwilfish on this team, Rotom-W would probably be replaced, just because I like the rest of the team a lot. The immunity to Explosion is what's keeping him around though, something that no other common Rain Team Pokemon can bring me. Maybe if I replace Roar with Protect on Zapdos, then it would cover the one true benefit Rotom-W brings me, allowing me a slot for Qwilfish or whatever. Your thoughts?
Against Other Weather Teams: This team is surprisingly good at beating Sandstorm and Hail teams. Pretty much everyone can do major damage to the Ground and Rock types after Zapdos washes away their Sandstorm, and the Sand Streamers are slow enough to get outsped and killed even if I don't have any rain.
Hail teams are kind of a pain because I can't hit everything for super effective damage, but they're not too bad. Zapdos outspeeds Abamasnow, making it Rain before he can use Blizzard. If Zapdos survives the first attack, then it U-Turns out, taking a chunk out of Abamasnow's health and leaving him weak enough to be picked off by whoever comes in. Once the only Hail-inducer is gone, my guys can set up rain without worry and do their thing.
The Team Building Process:
It started out with TorrentialZong setting up rain for Kingdra.
Ludicolo and Omastar were chosen out of the other Swift Swimmers.
Jolteon was picked to take advantage of Thunder in the rain, and Scizor got thrown in there because the guide suggested it.
Bronzong wasn't doing well, as after he Rain Danced there wasn't much he could do besides Explode (and suicide leads don't appeal to me.) So it was replaced with Zapdos, who's been doing extremely well.
Amidst a lot more advice than I thought I'd get, the only Pokemon I replaced was Scizor. If I changed everything for everything that was suggested, I'd have a whole new team >.<
Threats:
Breloom: Even though my Swift Swimmers carry Ice Beam and outspeed it, Breloom usually gets the momentum going by sleeping someone, subbing as I switch, and killing everyone with Focus Punch. I have to sacrifice one of my Swift Swimmers to break its sub, and if it isn't raining, then I'll have to sacrifice a Rain Dancer too.
Scizor: In the rain my sweepers can take it down with Surf, but Scizor's Bullet Punch can kill Omastar and pick off guys that are already hurting, especially if it gets a Swords Dance in. And since it's always raining, having something with a Fire move to deal with it is out of the question.
Scizor: In the rain my sweepers can take it down with Surf, but Scizor's Bullet Punch can kill Omastar and pick off guys that are already hurting, especially if it gets a Swords Dance in. And since it's always raining, having something with a Fire move to deal with it is out of the question.
I'm sure there are more, but those are the only two I can think of off the top of my head, and they're without a doubt the two Pokemon I have the hardest time dealing with.
That's All!
Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for posting some helpful advice. And I've noticed you guys are sticklers for following the rules to a T. I think I'm doing it right, but if anything was done wrong, let me know and I'll fix it. Rate away.
That's All!
Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for posting some helpful advice. And I've noticed you guys are sticklers for following the rules to a T. I think I'm doing it right, but if anything was done wrong, let me know and I'll fix it. Rate away.
