Rain

[gen]
XY

[tags]
Doubles

[name]
Mizuhime Rain

[overview]
A standard rain team built to utilize the offensive pressure brought on by Scizor, Thundurus-t, and Ludicolo. Having two Fake Out users provides many opportunities for teammates to deal major damage.

[pokemon]
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Spore
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Protect

Breloom is used a disruptive Pokemon in Doubles, being able to put multiple Pokemon to sleep thanks to the lack of Sleep Clause. When it isn't using Spore, it also has access to a powerful Technician-boosted moves such as Bullet Seed and Mach Punch. Focus Sash allows Breloom to live a little longer than it would and put faster Pokemon to sleep.

[pokemon]
Thundurus-Therian (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Thundurus-t acts as glass cannon on this team. It can deal so much damage in a short amount of time, but it doesn't want to take any hits. Being able to fire off Choice Specs Thunders at will while rain is up allows for Thundurus-t to open a lot of weaknesses in the opposing team, making it easier for Pokemon like Scizor and Ludicolo to clean up. Volt Switch is important on this set, as Thundurus-t can be used as a way to get Politoed in for free. Hidden Power Ice gives Thundurus-t coverage to hit Ground-type Pokemon, but on this team it can be switched to Hidden Power Flying if you're struggling in the matchup vs Mega Venusaur.

[pokemon]
Politoed @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Helping Hand
- Protect
- Encore

Can't have a rain team without Politoed. Damp Rock is used on this set due to the mechanic change from 5th to 6th Gen, where weather is no longer permanent. Politoed also gives this team some bulk, it can switch into many attacks if you're not being reckless with it. Scald gives it a way to do reliable damage and a chance to burn the opponent. The rest of the moves on the set are used for support purposes, Helping Hand is a move that will boost the damage output of your partner for the turn, while encore will allow you to force a slower opponent into being locked into using a move again such as Protect. Encore can be replaced with Perish Song, if you find yourself struggling against Pokemon that like to set up.

[pokemon]
Hitmontop (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Atk / 136 Def
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Feint
- Close Combat
- Quick Guard

Intimidate is one of the abilities in the tier. Being able to switch in and give both of the opposing Pokemon -1 attack is one of the things that keeps this tier so well balanced. Hitmontop is one of the best supporting Pokemon in the tier as it has access to many different moves that will help it's team. Fake Out support allows your team to get free hits and set up opportunities, while Quick Guard protects you from priority attacks such as opposing Fake Out and Brave Birds from Talonflame. Due to Protect being used as much as it is in Doubles, Feint is a great move to have on a Rain team, or any team that relies on a field effect being active. For those who don't know, Feint is a move the breaks Protect, Detect, Wide Guard, and Quick Guard, meaning you can hit through those moves. When you only have a limited amount of turns to do something Feint makes it so you can use all of them.


Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Protect

Mega Scizor acts as a set up sweeper for this team, as well as a resist to the many Dragon-types this tier has running around. Maximizing it's HP allows Scizor to be a very bulky Pokemon while rain reduces it's one major weaknesses, Fire-types. Swords Dance in tandem with Bullet Punch allow Scizor to deal massive damage while also giving the team necessary priority for faster threats that may be troublesome. Protect is very good on Scizor is for the same reason as it is on every offensive threat. It will allow you to scout for incoming attacks so you can react accordingly.

Ludicolo @ Assault Vest
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SAtk / 152 Spd
Modest Nature
- Fake Out
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam

Thanks to rain boosted Hydro pump's, Giga Drain, Ice Beam and Fake Out support combined with natural bulk and Assault Vest make Ludicolo one of the most prominent sweepers while rain is in play. Fake Out is what sets Ludicolo apart from the rest of the Swift Swim Sweepers, thanks to Swift Swim it means that Ludicolo has the fastest Fake Out in the tier, which allows it's teammates to capitalize from this.

[comments]
Usage Tips
==========
When using this team your main goal should be to keep rain up. Use Volt Switch on Thundurus to keep momentum going in your favor. Also use Fake Out Support from Ludicolo and Hitmontop to give the rest of the team room to breath. Spamming Spore with Breloom is never a bad idea and everything else will appreciate the free turns from smart play.


Checks and Counters
==========
The biggest challenge for this team will be a standard sun team. Charizard-y is able to switch in and threaten most of the team. Venusaur is also something that will be a problem. Play smart with Thundurus Volt switch and you should be fine tho.