Rain is probably my favorite weather to play, nothing is quite as fun as OHKOing stuff with water STAB. I've used Rain a ton in National Dex, so I wanted to try it in OU.
Teambuilding Process
Pelipper is an obvious choice for Rain teams, providing the much-needed Drizzle support. Not much to say here.
The first Swift Swimmer I added was Barreskewda. It hits really hard with STAB Rain boosted Liquidations, and paired with a great speed and attack stat, Barreskewda is a big threat to unprepared teams.
Torn-T abuses Rain by firing off perfect accuracy STAB Hurricanes and pressures Grass types while staying alive with Regenerator. I chose it instead of Zapdos due to its superior speed and ability to set up.
Since I already had 3 mons weak to Electric, the logical next step was to use a Ground type. Seismitoad deals with the aforementioned Electric types while providing a suprisingly powerful alternate Swift Swim sweeper.
Ferrothorn is another must-have on Rain teams, providing a much needed Grass and Electric resist, allowing it to tank threats to the other team members.
As my final team member, I chose Corviknight. Corv provides a very needed check to Rillaboom, as well as providing Defog support to prevent its teamates from taking damage from hazards.
The Team
Pelipper @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
- U-turn
- Roost
- Scald
- Hurricane
Pelippers set is pretty self-explanatory. U-turn brings the sweepers in safely, while Roost keeps Pelipper alive. I opted for a physically defensive set to let Pelipper tank a hit to set up Rain if needed. Hurricane instead of Defog for extra coverage since Corviknight already has it.
Barraskewda @ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Liquidation
- Throat Chop
- Close Combat
- Flip Turn
Choice Band Barreskewda is a force to be reckoned with. Under Rain, Barreskewda outspeeds and KO's neutral pokemon while doing a large chuck to resists. Only bulky grass and water types can switch into this mon. I have Throat Chop on this set instead of Psychic Fangs as I've been seeing a lot more Slowkings than Toxapexes and none of my other sweepers can really kill Slowking.
Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
- Weather Ball
Tornadus-Therian takes care of the Grass types that Barreskewda struggles with while also functioning as another wincon. If Torn-T can set up a nastly plot and threats to it like Tapu Koko are elimnated, Tornadus-Therian can easily sweep. Weather Ball is a safer alternative to Focus Blast for things like Heatran, as well as OHKOing Tapu Koko at +2 on the switch.
Seismitoad @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Earth Power
- Focus Blast
- Sludge Wave
Seismitoad provides a much-needed Electric immunity as over half my team is weak to it, as well as being a suprisingly powerful sweeper. Under Rain, Swift Swim lets Seismitoad boost its middling speed and boosts STAB Surfs. Life Orb gives Seismitoad an extra boost to power while Sludge Wave hits Fairies.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Knock Off
Ferrothorn is a Rain staple, and for good reason. It provides Stealth Rock support and can remove items. Power Whip can hit bulky water types like Slowking that the other mons struggle with, and Leech Seed can provide a from of recovery for it. I chose a specially defensive set since I have Corviknight as a physical wall.
Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Body Press
- U-turn
- Defog
- Roost
Corviknight provides a Rillaboom check as Defog support. Body Press hits Steel types, and U-turn brings in the sweepers safely. Corviknight also enjoys the Fire damage nerf of Rain.
Pokepaste
