rain team v2

[luo xiang]

So this is my competitive team for the feb 14th regionals. I really need some help vs khanga and sylveon! I actually have a trained sylveon. And a ferrothorn if that is better!

Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- protect
- Ice Beam
- Hypnosis
- Scald

Swampert-Mega @ Swampertite
Ability: Torrent
Shiny: no
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 130 Spe
Adamant Nature
- protect
- Ice Beam
- Waterfall
- rock (thow?)

Goodra @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Rest
- Fire Blast
- Thunder

Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Flash Cannon
- Agility
- Dragon Pulse

Rotom-Wash @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Tackle
- Rest

Tornadus @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rain Dance
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast

 

[KorpiklaaniVodka]

I hope you mean Volt Switch Rotom-W.

The team honestly looks pretty good, but I'd use a more offensive spread on Goodra. Also, run Ice Punch/Earthquake/Waterfall/Protect Mega Swampert

 

[PlatinumDude]

Swampert should stick to physical moves only:
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Ice Punch/Superpower
-Protect
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 168 HP/252 Atk/88 Spe
Item: Swampertite

There are better rain abusers out there than Goodra, really, but I still think it's better off using an offensive spread. Salamence is generally better than Goodra, due to its better Speed:

Goodra:
-Draco Meteor/Dragon Pulse
-Thunder
-Muddy Water
-Protect
Nature: Modest
EVs: 248 HP/252 SAtk/8 SDef
Item: Haban Berry/Roseli Berry/Sitrus Berry
Ability: Hydration

Salamence:
-Draco Meteor
-Dragon Pulse
-Fire Blast/Flamethrower
-Rock Slide/Hydro Pump/Stone Edge
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate

 

[Nah]

Also Swift Swim Kingdra doesn't really need Agility. The speed boost in the ran is more than enough Speed, so you could throw Ice Beam or something in there. And your Rock move on Swampert can be either Rock Slide (spread) or Stone Edge (power). Tornadus should probably use Damp Rock instead of Focus Sash. Sash doesn't really work in doubles due to double targeting and since this is a rain team you want the rain to last as long as possible.

 

[KorpiklaaniVodka]

Swampert should stick to physical moves only:
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Ice Punch/Superpower
-Protect
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 168 HP/252 Atk/88 Spe
Item: Swampertite

There are better rain abusers out there than Goodra, really, but I still think it's better off using an offensive spread. Salamence is generally better than Goodra, due to its better Speed:

Goodra:
-Draco Meteor/Dragon Pulse
-Thunder
-Muddy Water
-Protect
Nature: Modest
EVs: 248 HP/252 SAtk/8 SDef
Item: Haban Berry/Roseli Berry/Sitrus Berry
Ability: Hydration

Salamence:
-Draco Meteor
-Dragon Pulse
-Fire Blast/Flamethrower
-Rock Slide/Hydro Pump/Stone Edge
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate

- scarf mence with special attacks is bad
- scarf mence is bad in general
- fire blast in rain is questionable
- who cares about speed when he already has swampert and kingdra as his main sweepers
- assault vest goodra > roseli/sitrus/haban berry variants unless you use protect, in which case leftovers is better
- protect is kinda bad whoops doubles
- he reaaaally needs a specially defensive bulky attacker

Agree with Mega Swampert but I think 128 Spe > 88 since it allows you to outspeed Mega Lopunny. 152 is even better for Sceptile and Beedrill.

Also Swift Swim Kingdra doesn't really need Agility. The speed boost in the ran is more than enough Speed, so you could throw Ice Beam or something in there. And your Rock move on Swampert can be either Rock Slide (spread) or Stone Edge (power). Tornadus should probably use Damp Rock instead of Focus Sash. Sash doesn't really work in doubles due to double targeting and since this is a rain team you want the rain to last as long as possible.

Agility is kinda bad but I guess it helps if you want your Kingdra to be useful against other weather teams. Ice Beam sucks, don't use it.

 

[PlatinumDude]

- scarf mence with special attacks is bad
- scarf mence is bad in general
- fire blast in rain is questionable
- who cares about speed when he already has swampert and kingdra as his main sweepers
- assault vest goodra > roseli/sitrus/haban berry variants unless you use protect, in which case leftovers is better
- protect is kinda bad whoops doubles
- he reaaaally needs a specially defensive bulky attacker

Special Salamence is viable in doubles formats because Intimidate and burns screw over the physical variants. The only time when Salamence should be physical in doubles is when it's using its Mega Evolution. Since the Mega slot is already taken up, physical Mega Salamence is a no-go.

Fire Blast is usable when the rain wears off and for chunking Scizor and the occasional Ferrothorn hard.

 

[KorpiklaaniVodka]

Special Salamence is viable in doubles formats because Intimidate and burns screw over the physical variants. The only time when Salamence should be physical in doubles is when it's using its Mega Evolution. Since the Mega slot is already taken up, physical Mega Salamence is a no-go.

Fire Blast is usable when the rain wears off and for chunking Scizor and the occasional Ferrothorn hard.

i honestly see no reason to use scarf mence over scarf lati@s (thunder + rain-boosted surf) or even nite (thunder+ STAB hurricane+rain-boosted surf+extremespeed but 4MSS). or he could run something such as defiant thundurus/bisharp over goodra to troll intimidate users or competitive milo over kingdra to abuse hydro pump

given the fast-paced nature of the doubles meta, i really doubt fire blast will see much use, considering rain lasts for 8 turns. ferro is only 3hkoed in rainy weather.

 

[PlatinumDude]

i honestly see no reason to use scarf mence over scarf lati@s (thunder + rain-boosted surf) or even nite (thunder+hurricane+rain-boosted surf+extremespeed but 4MSS). or he could run something such as defiant thundurus/bisharp to troll intimidate users or competitive milo over kingdra to abuse hydro pump

given the fast-paced nature of the doubles meta, i really doubt fire blast will see much use. ferro is only 3hkoed in rainy weather.

Scarf Salamence still has its merits. It has utility in Intimidate to weaken opposing physical attackers, bar ones with Defiant. Intimidate is one of the most useful abilities in doubles. In short, Salamence is an option if the team needs Intimidate support.

If Scarf Mence isn't your cup of tea, Life Orb or Haban Berry can be used instead:
-Draco Meteor
-Hydro Pump/Tailwind
-Fire Blast/Tailwind
-Protect
Nature: Timid/Modest
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Haban Berry
Ability: Intimidate

 

[luo xiang]

Wow thanks for all the feedback everyone! Typing wise i was leaning more towards ludicolo, in case kingdra meets sylvion. Lol i will test a special mance and see if it fits well! Ill also make my swampert more of a physical set.

 

[luo xiang]

AFAIK SS + Auto-weather is banned?

A few things I find very good on Rain Teams:

Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Rest
- Roar
- Ice Beam/Toxic/Heal Bell

Hydration + Natural Physical Wall + Special Defence investment + Rest = OPPPPP!!! Scald/Rest/Roar for general disruption for sweepers (Ludicolo has a fun time against your team), with more damage options/status/cleric at your disposal.

Bronzong @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
SassyNature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Stealth Rock/Earthquake
- Gyro Ball

So suddenly Bronzong got Levitate AND Heatproof in Rain, making it pretty beefy. Set up screens in Rain, SR can also be used OR EQ for any Heatrans that poke their head around the corner. Gyro Ball for fast sweepers, just watch out for Knock Off!

So if i add these in place of rotom w (ludicolo) and kingdra(bronzong), that makes only fire and grass my common weakness...of only 2 each. Since im gonna run mance instead of goodra. Not bad. Wish i had a absolute answer to kahnga though...