Rain is a truly useful weather condition with many mechanics to take advantage of in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Rain increases the power of water-type moves by 50% while weakening fire-type moves by 50%. While also being able to have additional effects to synergize with moves, from increasing the accuracy to changing the properties of opponents' moves; for example, Moonlight and Synthesis will only heal an opposing Pokemon's HP by 25% instead of the usual 50%. With many ways to throw off your opponent while enhancing the abilities of ally Pokemon, Rain is very useful, and listed below are some Pokemon that trainers may want to consider adding to their rain team.
Pokemon VGC: How To Build The Best Rain Team
Rain is one of the most popular weather changes players can use in competitive Pokemon. Here's how to build the best Rain team for the Pokemon VGC.
Best Pokemon for Rain Teams in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Thundurus
Thundurus is a powerhouse in its own right; with access to the ability, Prankster, it can wreak all kinds of havoc in battle. Thundurus has amazing base stats and pairing that with the ability to synergize powerful moves like Thunder, a move with 110 base power, or Wildbolt Storm, which has 100 base power, that connects to both opponents in a double battle with the chance to paralyze as well, makes this Pokemon even deadlier.
Thundurus has a base special attack of 125 which makes both moves seem very scary even with the potential of these moves missing with their respective accuracies being 70% and 80%. However, in the Rain, these moves now have an accuracy of 100%.
With access to moves like Nasty Plot, Taunt, Substitute, Eerie Impulse, Thunder Wave, Swagger, Agility, and even Rain Dance, Thundurus has a versatile moveset that almost seems limitless. Rain can give this powerful Swiss Army knife powerful moves that have 100% accuracy, and with the potential it already possesses as a stand-alone Pokemon, Thundurus is a great compliment to any Rain team.
Vaporeon
Vaporeon has the potential to be a great tank for any rain team; it has 130 base HP, which is nothing to scoff at paired with 95 base special defense and 110 special attack. This means that with the right set, Vaporeon will be on the field to disrupt and hurt the opponent for quite some time. It also has the ability Hydration, which cures status conditions while in the rain. Vaporeon has access to various moves that can make it play different roles on any team.
Vaporeon can learn Hydro Pump, which has 100% accuracy in the rain, and with a base power of 110, this move can do some serious, consistent damage given the right conditions. Vaporeon doesn't only have to rely on Hydro Pump for damage, however, and can also run fully supportive with the ability to utilize moves like Baby-doll Eyes, Haze, Acid Armor, Yawn, Wish, Mud-Slap, Tickle, Charm, Fake Tears, Chilling Water, Icy Wind, and many more that make adding Vaporeon to a rain team a good choice.
Drednaw
Drednaw is a Pokemon with amazing stats; it has a nice 90 base HP, 110 Attack, and 90 base defense, which trainers would most likely want to take advantage of. With a 74 base speed, it wouldn't be expected for Drednaw to be faster than many Pokemon, but it has the hidden ability Swift Swim, which drastically changes the playing field. Doubling its speed in the rain makes it so that with a 148 base speed, Drednaw is able to comfortably outspeed even Garchomp, who is no slouch with a base speed of 102.
Boasting good attack and defenses while being able to outpace most Pokemon makes Drednaw a force to be reckoned with. It also has a great versatile pool of moves for trainers to choose from, with the potential for players to cash in on the defensive stats and make Drednaw a fast and deadly Pokemon that can also set up and support.
To name a few notable moves, Drednaw can disrupt opponents with Stealth Rock, Gastro Acid, Iron Defense, Substitute, Bulldoze, Jaw Lock, Body Press, and Ice Spinner. With the ability to outspeed the opponent with devastating force, Drednaw can prove to be extremely valuable as a tank or fast physical force.
Politoed
With the release of The Teal Mask DLC, one of the best rain setters made its debut in Generation 9. Politoed has the ability Drizzle, which means anytime the Pokemon enters battle, rain will begin; pairing this with the item Damp Rock will make the rain last eight turns instead of five.
Politoed has stats that make it fairly tanky and pack a decent punch. It has access to an immense move pool that makes it the ultimate support on any rain team. It has access to moves like Perish Song, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, Chilling Water, Swagger, Mud Shot, Hypnosis, and Earth Power, along with many other competitively viable moves that allow trainers to use Politoed in many different ways while also providing rain and support.
Pelipper
Pelipper in the early Meta proved to have good use for rain teams boasting the Drizzle ability and having a good 100 base defense. Similarly to Politoed, Pelipper has the potential to just come into battle and plan to fully invest in disrupting and aiding more hard-hitting Pokemon. Pelipper has the move Hydro Pump and Hurricane, which both have 110 base power with 100% accuracy in rain.
With the moves to be played in different styles, trainers can customize Pelipper to their preferred play style. Pelipper has an amazing move called Stockpile, which boosts defense and special defense while also having Roost for sustainment. With the Water/Flying-type Pokemon having access to Tailwind, which increases the speed of ally Pokemon, coupled with its versatility, there is no question that Pelipper remains a relevant addition to any rain team.
Ludicolo
Ludicolo is a fan favorite that may seem lackluster compared to other Pokemon stat-wise. However, Ludicolo has the ability, Swift Swim, which makes its mediocre 70 base speed a whopping 140 in the rain. With a 90 special attack and access to an above-average move pool, Ludicolo can come into battle and use moves like Fake Out, Teeter Dance, Icy Wind, Hydro Pump, and Knock Off.
These moves, along with a 140 base speed in the rain, give trainers looking to add Ludicolo to their team versatility to run different sets and throw off opponents. Ludicolo can lean into a fast disruptive role while also being a Pokemon that can cause a sting.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for the Nintendo Switch.