[RATE MY TEAM] Monsoon Season

[Maddie]

If you hadn't guessed by the title, this is a rain team. >.>
This is one of my first attempts at building a full blown singles team. I have wanted to build a rain team for a fairly significant time and this is where I ended up.
Well, here goes...

The Team;




Klefki @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 248 HP / 184 Def  / 76 SpD
Calm Nature
- Rain Dance
- Draining Kiss
- Light Screen
- Reflect

My lead/setter. I settled at this Pokemon purely because I tried other rain leads and none of them really worked as well as Klefki in my team. Prankster Rain Dance first turn reducing one of its two weaknesses plus its ridiculous resistances make it an amazing start. Not to mention the rudeness of completely denying Mega-Char Y's drought. I chose to run Light Screen and Reflect w/ Light Clay because I have other carriers of Rain Dance that could potentially set it up later. Klefki being the only one to carry screens made it useful to run Light Clay so that  screens stay up for longer giving this team a massive chance to gain momentum. In the rain, Klefki's main problem is Garchomp, Earthquake is the only other move that threatens the key's reign of terror, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't guarantee a set that would not give a guaranteed 2HKO without sacrificing much needed special bulk.

Calcs;
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 184 Def Klefki: 294-348 (92.7 - 109.7%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 76+ SpD Klefki in Rain: 194-230 (61.1 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Typhlosion Eruption (150 BP) vs. 248 HP / 76+ SpD Klefki in Rain: 204-240 (64.3 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Kabutops @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick
- Aqua Jet

What is a rain team with out a swift swimmer? I contemplated for a long time about using a Floatzel as my sweeper, purely because I like bringing Pokemon that aren't as common as others. But there's no denying that Kabutops has a massive presence in this team. At level 50 in the rain its speed is boosted to 264 making it a massive threat, not to mention it carrying priority and also the boost to water-type moves. EV's were a typical physical sweeping set because this thing is a beast. Its pretty easy to see why Kabutops was a good choice for this team.

Calcs;
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Charizard: 551-655 (360.1 - 428.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
52+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja: 153-181 (104 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Waterfall vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan in Rain: 134-160 (74 - 88.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Heliolisk @ Choice Specs
Ability: Dry Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Ice]

This is a pretty common but ridiculous set for a rain team Heliolisk. With its decent Speed and Special Attack, its specs STAB Thunder in the rain melts Pokemon that don't resist it. This little Electric lizard also gets Dry Skin, meaning it gets free leftovers every turn the rain is up. Volt Switch is a good tool for avoiding a match-up that doesn't favor this little lizard. Grass knot for some of those heavy water/ground types that completely negate the massive Thunder. And lastly Ice Beam for those pesky dragon or grass types that could potentially ruin the sweeping potentially of Kabutops. Typical EV set to maximize sweeping potential.gr

Calcs;
252 SpA Choice Specs Heliolisk Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Garchomp: 232-276 (126.7 - 150.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Heliolisk Thunder vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Charizard Y: 222-264 (145 - 172.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Heliolisk Thunder vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Rotom-W: 93-111 (59.2 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Goodra @ Damp Rock
Ability: Hydration
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Rain Dance
- Dragon Pulse
- Rest
- Ice Beam

This set may seem a bit strange since Goodra does amazing work with an assault vest but it doesn't take advantage of the amazing Rest/Hydration combo. This is basically a 1 turn sleep that puts you at full health. Its ridiculously funny to stall people out with this. Hydration also prevents Toxic stallers such as Chansey etc. I went with a Bold Nature and max Defense EV's due to Goodra's already huge Special Defense. It also a viable lead for this team, but usually just settles into a support role as a back up setter for the rain. I was kinda clueless as to what item to give to Goodra as Assault Vest was out of the question due to the inability to use Rest. I settled with Damp Rock just because it gives Kabutops more turns of going super fast or it gives Heliolisk more turns of 100% accuracy Thunder. It also carries D/Pulse and Ice Beam as basic coverage.

Calcs;
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Goodra: 125-148 (63.4 - 75.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Goodra: 114-136 (57.8 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Goodra: 109-130 (55.3 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
Level: 50
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Atk / 176 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Roost
- Rain Dance

Now for this teams mega, Scizor. This big metal bug thing has a massive weakness to fire as we all know. But that's what makes it perfect for this team with the rain reducing this weakness. It acts as a support for this team hence the defensive EV set. It still most likely wont live a STAB fire move from a heavy special attacker but this set is mostly for scouting then 'U-turning' giving a safe switch to either of the sweepers. It also carries Rain Dance and Roost if you're not in against a significant threat and Bullet Punch for obvious priority and to hurt Fairies a little. This Pokemon is the main wall standing between grass types running rampant through the rest of this team.

Calcs;
252+ SpA Mega Altaria Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 176 SpD Mega Scizor in Rain: 104-124 (59 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
84 Atk Mega Scizor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Sceptile: 152-180 (104.8 - 124.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
84 Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Sylveon: 146-174 (72.6 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
Level: 50
EVs: 196 HP / 180 Def / 16 SpA / 116 SpD
Calm Nature
- Acid Armor
- Rest
- Scald
- Toxic

Last but certainly not least, Vaporeon. I personally love gimmicky sets. So here's a  Toxic stall, hydration/rest set. This thing is pretty ridiculous and I just wanted something that could stall out other Pokemon. It already has decent special defense and special attack so I went with a Calm nature. I threw as many possible EV's into defense because its base is rather bad. I also threw Acid Armor on this set due to the mass amount of physical sweepers in the meta right now. For this reason I also chose to run Scald over any other water type move for the chance of a burn to cripple them even more. Being the potentially bulkiest Pokemon on this team I thought Toxic stall would be best suited as well as rest for the hydration recovery.

Calcs;
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 196 HP / 116+ SpD Vaporeon: 116-138 (50.4 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Thunder Punch vs. 196 HP / 180 Def Vaporeon: 170-200 (73.9 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Bisharp Sucker Punch vs. 196 HP / 180 Def Vaporeon: 85-102 (36.9 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO




So yeah, there is it. Its got some kinks still to be worked out, but I really want people's opinions on this team and how to improve it.
Thank youuuuuuuuu, if you read all of this. c:

Cheeky Cherrim >.<

[AndrewAllen]

u forget that scizor is a big metal bug thing with CHAINSAW CLAWS for hands also give vaporeon sleep talk or snore so it's not little useless while it's asleep

[z2porygon]

Nice Rain team but Politoed would help with damp rock/eject button because Rain requires setting it up and switching out with can allow an opponent to get off damage or set up and sweep.

[Marcusube]

(Feb 13, 2015, 02:41 AM)Maddie Wrote: If you hadn't guessed by the title, this is a rain team. >.>
This is one of my first attempts at building a full blown singles team. I have wanted to build a rain team for a fairly significant time and this is where I ended up.
Well, here goes...

The Team;




Klefki @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 248 HP / 184 Def  / 76 SpD
Calm Nature
- Rain Dance
- Draining Kiss
- Light Screen
- Reflect

My lead/setter. I settled at this Pokemon purely because I tried other rain leads and none of them really worked as well as Klefki in my team. Prankster Rain Dance first turn reducing one of its two weaknesses plus its ridiculous resistances make it an amazing start. Not to mention the rudeness of completely denying Mega-Char Y's drought. I chose to run Light Screen and Reflect w/ Light Clay because I have other carriers of Rain Dance that could potentially set it up later. Klefki being the only one to carry screens made it useful to run Light Clay so that  screens stay up for longer giving this team a massive chance to gain momentum. In the rain, Klefki's main problem is Garchomp, Earthquake is the only other move that threatens the key's reign of terror, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't guarantee a set that would not give a guaranteed 2HKO without sacrificing much needed special bulk.

Calcs;
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 184 Def Klefki: 294-348 (92.7 - 109.7%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 76+ SpD Klefki in Rain: 194-230 (61.1 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Typhlosion Eruption (150 BP) vs. 248 HP / 76+ SpD Klefki in Rain: 204-240 (64.3 - 75.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Kabutops @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick
- Aqua Jet

What is a rain team with out a swift swimmer? I contemplated for a long time about using a Floatzel as my sweeper, purely because I like bringing Pokemon that aren't as common as others. But there's no denying that Kabutops has a massive presence in this team. At level 50 in the rain its speed is boosted to 264 making it a massive threat, not to mention it carrying priority and also the boost to water-type moves. EV's were a typical physical sweeping set because this thing is a beast. Its pretty easy to see why Kabutops was a good choice for this team.

Calcs;
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Charizard: 551-655 (360.1 - 428.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
52+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja: 153-181 (104 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Kabutops Waterfall vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Kangaskhan in Rain: 134-160 (74 - 88.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Heliolisk @ Choice Specs
Ability: Dry Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Ice]

This is a pretty common but ridiculous set for a rain team Heliolisk. With its decent Speed and Special Attack, its specs STAB Thunder in the rain melts Pokemon that don't resist it. This little Electric lizard also gets Dry Skin, meaning it gets free leftovers every turn the rain is up. Volt Switch is a good tool for avoiding a match-up that doesn't favor this little lizard. Grass knot for some of those heavy water/ground types that completely negate the massive Thunder. And lastly Ice Beam for those pesky dragon or grass types that could potentially ruin the sweeping potentially of Kabutops. Typical EV set to maximize sweeping potential.gr

Calcs;
252 SpA Choice Specs Heliolisk Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Garchomp: 232-276 (126.7 - 150.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Heliolisk Thunder vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Charizard Y: 222-264 (145 - 172.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Heliolisk Thunder vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Rotom-W: 93-111 (59.2 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Goodra @ Damp Rock
Ability: Hydration
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Rain Dance
- Dragon Pulse
- Rest
- Ice Beam

This set may seem a bit strange since Goodra does amazing work with an assault vest but it doesn't take advantage of the amazing Rest/Hydration combo. This is basically a 1 turn sleep that puts you at full health. Its ridiculously funny to stall people out with this. Hydration also prevents Toxic stallers such as Chansey etc. I went with a Bold Nature and max Defense EV's due to Goodra's already huge Special Defense. It also a viable lead for this team, but usually just settles into a support role as a back up setter for the rain. I was kinda clueless as to what item to give to Goodra as Assault Vest was out of the question due to the inability to use Rest. I settled with Damp Rock just because it gives Kabutops more turns of going super fast or it gives Heliolisk more turns of 100% accuracy Thunder. It also carries D/Pulse and Ice Beam as basic coverage.

Calcs;
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Goodra: 125-148 (63.4 - 75.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Goodra: 114-136 (57.8 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Goodra: 109-130 (55.3 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
Level: 50
EVs: 248 HP / 84 Atk / 176 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Roost
- Rain Dance

Now for this teams mega, Scizor. This big metal bug thing has a massive weakness to fire as we all know. But that's what makes it perfect for this team with the rain reducing this weakness. It acts as a support for this team hence the defensive EV set. It still most likely wont live a STAB fire move from a heavy special attacker but this set is mostly for scouting then 'U-turning' giving a safe switch to either of the sweepers. It also carries Rain Dance and Roost if you're not in against a significant threat and Bullet Punch for obvious priority and to hurt Fairies a little. This Pokemon is the main wall standing between grass types running rampant through the rest of this team.

Calcs;
252+ SpA Mega Altaria Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 176 SpD Mega Scizor in Rain: 104-124 (59 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
84 Atk Mega Scizor U-turn vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Sceptile: 152-180 (104.8 - 124.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
84 Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Sylveon: 146-174 (72.6 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
Level: 50
EVs: 196 HP / 180 Def / 16 SpA / 116 SpD
Calm Nature
- Acid Armor
- Rest
- Scald
- Toxic

Last but certainly not least, Vaporeon. I personally love gimmicky sets. So here's a  Toxic stall, hydration/rest set. This thing is pretty ridiculous and I just wanted something that could stall out other Pokemon. It already has decent special defense and special attack so I went with a Calm nature. I threw as many possible EV's into defense because its base is rather bad. I also threw Acid Armor on this set due to the mass amount of physical sweepers in the meta right now. For this reason I also chose to run Scald over any other water type move for the chance of a burn to cripple them even more. Being the potentially bulkiest Pokemon on this team I thought Toxic stall would be best suited as well as rest for the hydration recovery.

Calcs;
252+ SpA Mega Venusaur Giga Drain vs. 196 HP / 116+ SpD Vaporeon: 116-138 (50.4 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Thunder Punch vs. 196 HP / 180 Def Vaporeon: 170-200 (73.9 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Bisharp Sucker Punch vs. 196 HP / 180 Def Vaporeon: 85-102 (36.9 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO




So yeah, there is it. Its got some kinks still to be worked out, but I really want people's opinions on this team and how to improve it.
Thank youuuuuuuuu, if you read all of this. c:

Cheeky Cherrim >.<

If you plan to set up the initial Rain Dance with Klefki, how will you pivot into the Pokemon you wish to take advantage of the rain. Try to run Eject Button on Klefki to get a safer switch in. Also, Foul Play is a better offensive option for Klefki. To be honest, Garchomp taking out Klefki would be a good thing since you get a safe switch in so you won't really need the bulk but it is good to have it nonetheless.

You can try using Aerial Ace instead of Stone Edge/Aqua Jet for more super effective hits but if you want to focus on hard hitting STAB then that's fine.

I recommend not using Grass Knot for it doesn't check many things that Hidden Power Ice already can't handle. Try Focus Blast or Dark Pulse.

You do not need both Dragon Pulse and Ice Beam. Since you have the rain up, just use Thunder instead of Dragon Pulse.

Scizor is a great pivot, however, you already have two Rain Dancers so its highly unlikely that you will need a third one. Just run Swords Dance instead.

Overall great rain team. 9.5/10

[Maddie]

(Feb 13, 2015, 11:16 AM)z2porygon Wrote: Nice Rain team but Politoed would help with damp rock/eject button because Rain requires setting it up and switching out with can allow an opponent to get off damage or set up and sweep.

I did try a Politoed in this team prior and it just didn't work that nicely. But I can always change it around.

(Feb 13, 2015, 10:37 AM)AndrewAllen Wrote: also give vaporeon sleep talk or snore so it's not little useless while it's asleep

In the perfect situation, it'll be asleep for one turn only because of hydration, so I wont have the opportunity to use Sleep Talk etc.

[Black117]

If this is a rain team, it will be difficult to setup "rain" whole the opponent easily applies offensive pressure against you, especially if this is a singles (6v6) format. As a Mega Scizor user myself, I don't like the idea of having rain dance instead of something as optimal as sword dance. Your team needs a offensive presence and aside from Kabutops, there isn't much. Goodra and Vaporeon look as if they provide similar roles for the team so again you can try replacing one with drizzle politoed to help with rain. Other Pokemon you want to consider are swift swim Pokemon like Kingdra considering your team needs a special attacker. I can give you more details about the overall synergy of the team.

[Maddie]

(Feb 13, 2015, 06:18 PM)Black117 Wrote: As a Mega Scizor user myself, I don't like the idea of having rain dance instead of something as optimal as sword dance.

I have changed this from Rain Dance to Swords Dance. This fact has also been brought up by Marcus.

(Feb 13, 2015, 06:18 PM)Black117 Wrote: Goodra and Vaporeon look as if they provide similar roles for the team/try replacing one with drizzle politoed to help with rain.

Yes they're similar but as stated prior I have use Politoed on this team and don't particularly like it. It comes more down to personal prefence on the Vaporeon over a Politoed more than anything.

(Feb 13, 2015, 06:18 PM)Black117 Wrote: Your team needs a offensive presence and aside from Kabutops, there isn't much/your team needs a special attacker.

Its ok, its not like there is a specs Heliolisk on this team or anything...