[OU - IV Gen] Rain Dance Team

[Ombra]

I love Rain Dance Team (and Hail Team too). This is what that is giving me more satisfaction but has some problems that I would like to resolve. There are two main sweepers and many user of rain dance in order not to stay dry. Let's go with order.


Zapdos @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/176 Spd/82 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- U-turn
- Thunder
- Roost
- Rain Dance

One of the starter I prefer.
His first mission is to start the rain, then attack with Thunder or gives way.
In case of problematic opponent (rock moves, taunter, etc.), it will switch immediately.
The next entry will be Kabutops, mainly, or Bronzong (to set SR & Reflect) or the best counter for the foe.

---

Ludicolo (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 204 HP/104 Spd/78 SAtk/124 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Surf
- Leech Seed
- Grass Knot
- Rain Dance

Rain dancer. This guy is useful to counter Suicune and other similar foes.

---

Bronzong @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/128 Atk/128 Def/2 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Explosion
- Rain Dance
- Reflect
- Stealth Rock

Rain dancer.
This moveset doesn't convince me at all, particularly Stealth Rock. Yes, SR are always useful, but with this Bronzong I can't damage none without his sacrifice. I'm thinking about Eartquake over Stealth Rock (perhaps over Explosion). Any advice?

---

Scizor (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/10 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Rain Dance
- U-turn

Rain dancer. Start the rain and then turns away or attack a weak opponent with a priority move.
I like this Scizor in this team. I'm not convinced about the usefulness of Roost.

---

Kabutops (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 72 HP/252 Atk/186 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Aqua Jet
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
- Waterfall

Middle game sweeper.
It is the first sweeper that I put early in play unless I need a special support (supplied by Ludicolo) or more defense first (Reflect, supplied by Bronzong). It's speed and attacks, under the rain, are devstating.

---

Kingdra (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Rest
- Waterfall
- Sleep Talk

Late game sweeper. I made it sleep talker to recover damage from Life Orb and then because Outrage, activated by Sleep Talk, doesn't lock Kingdra nor confuse it.

---

Overall, this team achieved a good score but it has a main problem that concerns about Snorlax with Curse. If it starts to curse, it will destroy me in the most cases. The only thing I can try is to explode as soon as possible with Bronzong and then try to finish him with Kabutops or Kingdra.
I tried to replace Scizor with Medicham (Power Swap, Drain Punch, Shadow Ball, Rain Dance), but the lack of a second priority move in the team may be another problem. I need advice.

Rate many. Thank you in advance.

[Auron]

Why not use the following:

Scizor @ Choice Band
Adamant
Technician
248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Bullet Punch
Superpower
U-turn
Pursuit

or

Scizor @ Life Orb
Adamant
Technician
200 HP / 252 Atk / 56 Spe or 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Bullet Punch
Superpower
Roost / Bug Bite / X-Scissor
Swords Dance

To counter a Curselax, before he starts Cursing Superpower will take it out. I am suggesting this since you have enough pokemon to set up Rain Dance.

Keep Stealth Rock on Bronzong, this makes some 2HKO's OHKO's.

You could give Dragon Dance Kingdra a shot:

Kingdra @ Lum Berry
Adamant
Swift Swim
180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe
Dragon Dance
Waterfall
Outrage
Rest

Dragon Dance once or twice, then Rest of damage and start sweeping.

[Mew]

I like Rain Dance teams too! ^^

Comments in red.

I love Rain Dance Team (and Hail Team too). This is what that is giving me more satisfaction but has some problems that I would like to resolve. There are two main sweepers and many user of rain dance in order not to stay dry. Let's go with order.


Zapdos @ Damp Rock
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/176 Spd/82 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- U-turn
- Thunder
- Roost
- Rain Dance

One of the starter I prefer.
His first mission is to start the rain, then attack with Thunder or gives way.
In case of problematic opponent (rock moves, taunter, etc.), it will switch immediately.
The next entry will be Kabutops, mainly, or Bronzong (to set SR & Reflect) or the best counter for the foe.

If you manage to get Rain Dance up, you shouldn't switch to Bronzong since he doesn't have anything good in the rain, except defensive improvements (50% less fire damage). So switch to one of the sweepers who exploit the rain. Very nice lead, I like it.

---

Ludicolo (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 204 HP/104 Spd/78 SAtk/124 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Surf
- Leech Seed
- Grass Knot
- Rain Dance

Rain dancer. This guy is useful to counter Suicune and other similar foes.

I recommend you to swap Leech Seed for Ice Beam, to improve coverage and offensive capabilities. Leech Seed is more of a defensive, slow game-style, Rain Dance kind of pushes you to outspeed a lot and hit hard, and Ice Beam supports that. If you fixed that, this one would be very good.

---

Bronzong @ Damp Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/128 Atk/128 Def/2 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Explosion
- Rain Dance
- Reflect
- Stealth Rock

Rain dancer.
This moveset doesn't convince me at all, particularly Stealth Rock. Yes, SR are always useful, but with this Bronzong I can't damage none without his sacrifice. I'm thinking about Eartquake over Stealth Rock (perhaps over Explosion). Any advice?

Stealth Rock is THE reason to play it. Its defenses are a great reason as well, it can get Rain Dance up AND it can support your sweepers/other teammates with Reflect. With Explosion you'll take out almost any Pokemon opposing it, just look out for Ghost-types which are predictable. If you really dislike using Explosion, you should use Gyro Ball.

---

Scizor (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/10 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Rain Dance
- U-turn

Rain dancer. Start the rain and then turns away or attack a weak opponent with a priority move.
I like this Scizor in this team. I'm not convinced about the usefulness of Roost.

Roost is very useful on this set, but if you want to take a more offensive approach (which I recommend) you should change the whole set. This Choice Band set isn't dependant of the rain, which improves you're flexibility with the rain, you can strike very large holes in opposing teams. This is what I'm talking about:

Adamant Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Bullet Punch
Superpower
U-Turn
Pursuit

This set has something for everything, but if you decide to use this one you should concentrate on surprising people with Pursuit. I think you should change Scizor's set to this, because you already have some Pokemon that can set up Rain Dance.

---

Kabutops (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 72 HP/252 Atk/186 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Aqua Jet
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
- Waterfall

Middle game sweeper.
It is the first sweeper that I put early in play unless I need a special support (supplied by Ludicolo) or more defense first (Reflect, supplied by Bronzong). It's speed and attacks, under the rain, are devstating.

Very good, no comments.

---

Kingdra (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Rest
- Waterfall
- Sleep Talk

Late game sweeper. I made it sleep talker to recover damage from Life Orb and then because Outrage, activated by Sleep Talk, doesn't lock Kingdra nor confuse it.

Very nice, but you might want to consider this set:
Adamant Kingdra @ Life Orb/Leftovers (your choice)
Ability: Swift Swim
Dragon Dance
Rain Dance
Waterfall
Outrage

Perfect coverage and wicked attacking capabilities. The other one is also good though, but this one is worth to take into consideration.

---

Overall, this team achieved a good score but it has a main problem that concerns about Snorlax with Curse. If it starts to curse, it will destroy me in the most cases. The only thing I can try is to explode as soon as possible with Bronzong and then try to finish him with Kabutops or Kingdra.
I tried to replace Scizor with Medicham (Power Swap, Drain Punch, Shadow Ball, Rain Dance), but the lack of a second priority move in the team may be another problem. I need advice.

Rate many. Thank you in advance.

[Ombra]

I tried the Kingdra Double Dancer, with very good results. Thank you all.
Any other advice?

[JojoX2]

I would suggest to tweak the set of Kabutops a little. Why:

1. CB forces you to switch a lot, and this is a big no-no in rain, but I think you already know that.
2. Kabutops is one of your main sweepers, you say. With CB it can punish one thing, but it cannot sweep a team as it is.
3. +1ATK is not what you should be aiming for with Kabutops. SD will make it shine even more.

Conclusion: I think, switching Aqua Jet with SD is a good option, as Kabutops gets an amazing speed stat in rain. Instead of CB use Life Orb or, if you dislike recoil, MuscleBand.

[Buba]

Ludicolo (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 204 HP/104 Spd/78 SAtk/124 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Surf
- Leech Seed
- Grass Knot
- Rain Dance

Rain dancer. This guy is useful to counter Suicune and other similar foes.


Rate many. Thank you in advance.

Wtf nature? Why you use impish if u use Special attacks? You should use Bold.

[Mew]

Omg, didn't see that.. I recommend you use a Modest nature, to boost your sweeping capabilities.

[Ombra]

Sorry. An error due to copy and paste. Edited. In my team is Calm.

I would suggest to tweak the set of Kabutops a little. Why:

1. CB forces you to switch a lot, and this is a big no-no in rain, but I think you already know that.
2. Kabutops is one of your main sweepers, you say. With CB it can punish one thing, but it cannot sweep a team as it is.
3. +1ATK is not what you should be aiming for with Kabutops. SD will make it shine even more.

Conclusion: I think, switching Aqua Jet with SD is a good option, as Kabutops gets an amazing speed stat in rain. Instead of CB use Life Orb or, if you dislike recoil, MuscleBand.

Indeed, Aqua Jet is the least used move that helped me in not many circumstances. Uhm... I'll try. Thank you.

[The Wroth]

For Kabutops i'd replace Superpower with Swords Dance rather than Aqua Jet. Priority moves are really useful in this game, especially if you need to finish something off, for example an injured Scizor which would otherwise kill you with Bullet Punch. Stone Edge and Waterfall give good coverage so Superpower is kind of useless anyway and makes you more vulnerable with the Defense decrease, and lowers your sweeping ability with the Attack decrease. Also, definitely use Life Orb.