Doubles Ludicolo

sam-testings

What a beautiful face, I have found in this place
Ludicolo is a strong rain attacker, firing off powerful Water-type attacks in order to punch holes in the enemy team. It has access to Fake Out, which is a useful move for disrupting opposing strategies, and under rain, Ludicolo is the fastest Fake Out user in the metagame. Immunity to powder moves can be handy, making Ludicolo unaffected by Spore and Rage Powder, which allows it to get around Amoonguss, an annoyance to rain teams. Ludicolo has Grass-type STAB coverage and can deal with traditional rain checks such as Rotom-W and Tapu Fini. However, Ludicolo lacks useful resistances, has mediocre bulk, and falls easily to more powerful attacks. Additionally, it is very dependent on rain, thus being limiting towards teambuilding.

[SET]
name: Rain Attacker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Giga Drain / Energy Ball
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Protect / Fake Out
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hydro Pump functions as Ludicolo's primary STAB move, dealing significant damage under rain to neutral targets. Giga Drain can hit Pokemon that resist Water-type moves such as Tapu Fini and Rotom-W. Energy Ball can be used for more power, but usually the healing from Giga Drain is more useful. Ice Beam can be used to hit common Pokemon that resist Ludicolo's STAB moves such as Mega Salamence and Amoonguss. Protect allows Ludicolo to stall out field conditions and shield itself from damage. Fake Out is able to prevent an opposing Pokemon from doing anything for a turn, allowing a partner to KO them or use a setup move.

Set Details
========

Ludicolo's Special Attack EVs are maximized to allow it to hit as hard as possible, and its Speed EVs are also maximized so it can outspeed as many Pokemon as possible both in and out of rain, notably outspeeding Choice Scarf Landorus and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele under rain. A Modest nature is used to boost its Special Attack even further, but Timid is always an option to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect and Choice Scarf Victini. Life Orb boosts Ludicolo's moves, making it a fearsome special attacker under rain. Waterium Z can be held to give Ludicolo a powerful one-time STAB attack. Swift Swim is used to double Ludicolo's Speed under rain.

Usage Tips
========

Ludicolo works best under rain thanks to Swift Swim, so avoid sending it out when rain isn't up. It is best used to punch holes in the enemy team early-game. If your opponent doesn't have a weather setter such as Tyranitar or Mega Charizard Y, Ludicolo can be a perfect lead to pressure the opposing team. If they have a weather setter, consider removing it first before sending in Ludicolo. Hydro Pump is Ludicolo's most powerful attack, especially under rain, so use it as often as possible to deal maximum damage. Ludicolo typically works best when it switches in on fairly weak resisted attacks such as Tapu Fini's Muddy Water. It can also work well as a late-game cleaner if you are able to clear its checks and set up rain, so consider saving Ludicolo and a rain setter if you see a chance to use it for this.

Team Options
========

Ludicolo needs a partner to set up rain, so either Pelipper or Politoed is necessary. Ludicolo also benefits from another rain attacker that can help wear down its checks, such as Kingdra or Mega Swampert. Because it relies heavily on rain, running a check for opposing weather setters is always a good idea. Pokemon that set weather such as Tyranitar, Alolan Ninetales, and Mega Charizard Y are beaten by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, and Tapu Koko. Fighting-types, such as Marshadow, can help deal with defensive checks to Ludicolo such as Ferrothorn, Kyurem-B, and Snorlax. A check to opposing speed control is useful, such as a Taunt user like Tapu Lele or Tapu Koko for Trick Room and your own Tailwind user such as Pelipper to deal with opposing Tailwind.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Focus Blast can be used to hit Kyurem-B, Tyranitar, and Ferrothorn, and Fightinium Z can give it a power boost and offset Focus Blast's poor accuracy. An Assault Vest set can be run to give Ludicolo more bulk and help it tank more special hits. Scald can be used over Hydro Pump, but it loses out on a lot of power.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Opposing Weather**: Abomasnow can counter Ludicolo and set up hail, which removes the advantages of rain. Mega Charizard Y can do this as well by setting up sun, weakening Ludicolo's main STAB moves.

**Bulky Attackers**: Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Snorlax, and Kyurem-B can all easily tank a hit from Ludicolo and either set up on it or deal a lot of damage to it.

**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon such as Genesect and Victini can carry a Choice Scarf and outspeed Ludicolo in rain and KO it.

**Opposing Speed Control**: Opposing Trick Room and Tailwind can allow strong Pokemon to outspeed Ludicolo, preventing it from attacking safely.
 
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amcheck :D

[Overview] "Not very useful outside of rain other than for Fake Out support" never use this outside of rain teams so change to "Very dependent on rain thus very limiting to teambuilding"
[Overview] Mention Tapu Fini as traditional rain checks
[Set] Slash Waterium Z after Life Orb
[Moves] Hydro Pump functions as Ludicolo's primary STAB move, dealing significant damage under the rain to neutral targets.
[Moves] Remove Latios mention with Mega Salamence
[Set Details] Timid is always an option to outspeed Scarf Genesect and Scarf Victini
[Usage Tips] If opponent dont have a weather setter, Ludicolo can be a perfect lead to give pressure on opposing team. If they have one, consider to remove it first before sends Ludicolo
[Usage Tips] Ludicolo typically works best when it only has to switch in on fairly weak resisted attacks such as Tapu Fini's Muddy Water
[Team Options] Ludicolo relies heavily on rain so running check for opposing weather always a good idea. Add sentence like Landorus beat sand and sun, Tapu Koko beat sun, Mega Scizor beat hail and sand etc
[Team Options] Fighting-types such as Marshadow take care of the defensive checks to Ludicolo, namely Ferrothorn, Kyurem-B, and Snorlax
[Team Options] Check to opposing speed control (Taunt / your own Tailwind)
[Team Options] Remove Flying-types check, i guess it addressed to beat Talonflame but it dead already
[Other Options] Remove Leech Seed + Rain Dish
[C&C] Rename **Bulky Threats** with **Bulky Attacker**
[C&C] Add **Faster Attacker** with Scarf Genesect and Scarf Victini on it

e: pointed some things i missed
 
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- Implement Heliodor's check besides Waterium Z slash behind Life Orb - keep that in Set Details. Nice job with the AM check :)
- [Overview] Mention its lack of useful resistances alongside its mediocre bulk.
- [Set] Slash Protect before Fake Out. Ludicolo's role this gen is very different than the AV set's supportive job last gen and Protect reflects this.
- [Set] Slash Energy Ball behind Giga Drain - the extra power is often nice, though the rolls work out poorly vs. Fini and its Super Sitrus.
- [Set Details] Mention what 252 Speed outspeeds - most importantly Scarf Landorus-T and Lele.
- [Usage Tips] Say that Ludicolo is best used early game to punch holes alongside Heliodor's lead mention.
- [OO] Move Focus Blast up to the top option and mention it with Fightinium Z for the power boost and to offset accuracy
- [C&C] Opposing speed control absolutely needs to be here. Tailwind and TR both stop Ludicolo from safely firing off strong Hydros.
 

sam-testings

What a beautiful face, I have found in this place
Implemented everything, also took energy ball out of OO since you told me to slash it in the set.
 

GenOne

DOU main. GMT-7. PS!: GenOne
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Thanks for this! QC 2/2 approved pending the following changes:

OVERVIEW
  • You don't abuse rain, you use it. Just say Ludicolo is a "strong rain sweeper" or "strong rain attacker."
  • GP would've caught this had I not, but "grass STAB" should be "Grass-type STAB coverage" or something along those lines. In general, please take a quick look through your analysis to try to catch as many copy/style errors as you can - GP appreciates not having to fix more commonly known ones :)
SET
  • Set name should be "Rain Attacker"
  • Move order should generally follow the STAB MOVES > COVERAGE MOVES > SUPPORT/STATUS MOVES > RECOVERY/PROTECT format. In this case specifically, the move order should be:
    • Hydro Pump
    • Giga Drain / Energy Ball
    • Ice Beam
    • Protect / Fake Out
  • Move the 4 HP EVs to Defense; HP stats of an even number incur more residual damage from stealth rocks, sand/hail, poison, etc.
SET COMMENTS
  • Reorder your sentences to follow the new move order mentioned above
  • As a general rule, when you're giving examples of Pokemon, mention the ones that fall high on the Viability Rankings before mentioning the ones that are ranked lower. In this case specifically, mention Tapu Fini before Rotom-W when talking about targets that Ludicolo hits with its Grass-type moves. Try to implement this type of VR-based ordering everywhere else in your analysis, too.
  • Instead of saying Life Orb boosts Ludicolo's "mediocre damage output" (this is kind of subjective, especially for a Pokemon with access to good super-effective coverage) say that Life Orb compensates for its mediocre Special Attack stat.
USAGE TIPS
  • Ludicolo also makes a great late-game cleaner if you're able to clear its checks beforehand and still have rain set up, so consider preserving Ludicolo and your rain setter for later in the match if you see opportunity to use Ludicolo as a late-game cleaner.
TEAM OPTIONS
  • Again, "rain sweeper" or "rain attacker" > "rain abuser"
  • "Landorus-T," not "Landorus." When people read "Landorus" they will assume you mean Landorus-I.
 

autumn

only i will remain
is a Site Content Manageris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Top Smogon Media Contributor Alumnusis an Administrator Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
C&C Leader
first check after the update let's see how this goes

GP 1/2
add remove comments

[OVERVIEW]

Ludicolo is a strong rain attacker, firing off powerful Water-type attacks in order to punch holes in the enemy team. It has access to Fake Out, (AC) which is a useful move for disrupting opposing strategies, and under rain, (AC) Ludicolo is the fastest Fake Out user in the metagame. Immunity to powder moves can be handy, (AC) as it is not affected by Spore and Rage Powder, (AC) which allows it to get around Amoongus, (AC) an annoyance which can be annoying (repetition) to rain teams. Ludicolo has Grass-type STAB coverage and can deal with traditional rain checks such as Rotom-W and Tapu Fini. However, Ludicolo lacks useful resistances, (AC) and has mediocre bulk, and falls easily to more powerful attacks. Additionally, it is very dependent on rain, (AC) thus being limiting towards teambuilding.

[SET]
name: Rain Attacker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Giga Drain / Energy Ball
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Protect / Fake Out
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hydro Pump functions as Ludicolo's primary STAB move, dealing significant damage under the rain to neutral targets. Giga Drain is additional STAB that can hit Pokemon that resist Water-type moves such as Tapu Fini and Rotom-W. Energy Ball can be used for more power, but usually the healing from Giga Drain is more useful. Ice Beam can be used to hit common pokemon that resist Ludicolo's STAB moves such as Mega Salamence and Amoongus. Protect allows Ludicolo to stall out field conditions and shield itself from damage. Fake Out is able to prevent an opposing Pokemon from doing anything for a turn, allowing a partner to KO them or use a set up setup move.

Set Details
========

Ludicolo's Special Attack EVs are maximized to allow it to hit as hard as possible, and its Speed EVs are also maximized so it can outspeed as many Pokemon as possible both in and out of rain, outspeeding Choice Scarf Landorus and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele under rain. A Modest nature is used to boost its Special Attack even further, but Timid is always an option to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect and Choice Scarf Victini. (ev + nature comments usually go here; also specify if outspeeding those mons is under rain) Life Orb boosts Ludicolo's mediocre Special Attack stat moves (no it doesn't, it boosts the power of moves), making it a fearsome special attacker under rain. A Waterium Z crystal can be held to nuke an opposing pokemon give Ludicolo a powerful one-time STAB attack. Modest Nature is used to boost Special Attack even further, but Timid is always an option to outspeed Scarf Genesect and Scarf Victini. Special Attack stat maximized to allow it to hit as hard as possible. Speed stat also maximized so it can out speed as many pokemon as possible in rain and outside of rain, outspeeding Scarf Landorus and Scarf Tapu Lele under rain. Swift Swim is used to double Ludicolo's Speed under rain.

Usage Tips
========

Ludicolo works best under rain thanks to Swift Swim, so avoid sending it out when rain isn't up. Ludicolo It is best used to punch holes in the enemy team in the early game early-game. If your opponent doesn't have a weather setter such as Tyranitar or Mega Charizard Y, Ludicolo can be a perfect lead to give pressure on the opposing team. If they have a weather setter, consider removing it first before sending in Ludicolo. Hydro Pump is Ludicolo's most powerful attack, especially under rain, so use it as often as possible to deal maximum damage. Ludicolo typically works best when it switches in on fairly weak resisted attacks such as Tapu Fini's Muddy Water. Ludicolo It can also work well as a late game late-game cleaner if you are able to clear its checks and set up rain, so consider saving Ludicolo and a rain setter if you see a chance to use it for this as a late game cleaner. (maybe try varying sentence structure here)

Team Options
========

Ludicolo obviously (note that analyses are for newer players mainly) needs a partner to set up rain, so either Pelipper or Politoed is necessary. Ludicolo also benefits from another rain attacker that can help wear down its checks, (AC) such as Kingdra or Mega Swampert. Ludicolo Because it relies heavily on rain, (AC) sorunning a check for opposing weather setters is always a good idea. (varying structure) Pokemon that set weather such as Tyranitar, Alolan Ninetales-Alolan, and Mega Charizard Y are beaten by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, and Tapu Koko. Fighting-types, (AC) such as Marshadow, (AC) can help deal with defensive checks to Ludicolo such as Ferrothorn, Kyurem-B, and Snorlax. A check to opposing speed control is useful, such as a Taunt user like Tapu Lele or Tapu Koko for Trick Room and your own Tailwind user such as Pelipper to deal with opposing Tailwinds.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Focus Blast can be used to hit Kyurem-B, Tyranitar, and Ferrothorn, and Fightium Fightinium Z can give it a power boost and offset Focus Blast's poor accuracy. An Assault Vest set can be run to give Ludicolo more bulk and help it tank more special hits. Scald can be used over Hydro Pump, but it loses out on a lot of power. (any important kos missed?)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Opposing Weather**: Abomasnow can counter Ludicolo and set up hail, (AC) which removes the advantages of rain. Mega Charizard Y can do this as well by setting up sun, and also weakens weakening Ludicolo's main STAB moves.

**Bulky Attackers**: Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Snorlax, and Kyurem-B can all easily tank a hit from Ludicolo and either set up on it or deal a lot of damage to it.

**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon such as Genesect and Victini can carry a Choice Scarf and outspeed Ludicolo in rain and KO it.

**Opposing Speed Control**: Opposing Trick Room and Tailwind can allow strong Pokemon to outspeed Ludicolo (such as?), preventing it from attacking safely.
 

P Squared

a great unrecorded history
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watch the damn video


GP 2/2

[OVERVIEW]

Ludicolo is a strong rain attacker, firing off powerful Water-type attacks in order to punch holes in the enemy team. It has access to Fake Out, which is a useful move for disrupting opposing strategies, and under rain, Ludicolo is the fastest Fake Out user in the metagame. Immunity to powder moves can be handy, making Ludicolo as it is not unaffected by Spore and Rage Powder, which allows it to get around Amoonguss, an annoyance to rain teams. Ludicolo has Grass-type STAB coverage and can deal with traditional rain checks such as Rotom-W and Tapu Fini. However, Ludicolo lacks useful resistances, has mediocre bulk, and falls easily to more powerful attacks. Additionally, it is very dependent on rain, thus being limiting towards teambuilding.

[SET]
name: Rain Attacker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Giga Drain / Energy Ball
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Protect / Fake Out
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hydro Pump functions as Ludicolo's primary STAB move, dealing significant damage under rain to neutral targets. Giga Drain is additional STAB that can hit Pokemon that resist Water-type moves such as Tapu Fini and Rotom-W. Energy Ball can be used for more power, but usually the healing from Giga Drain is more useful. Ice Beam can be used to hit common Pokemon that resist Ludicolo's STAB moves such as Mega Salamence and Amoonguss. Protect allows Ludicolo to stall out field conditions and shield itself from damage. Fake Out is able to prevent an opposing Pokemon from doing anything for a turn, allowing a partner to KO them or use a setup move.

Set Details
========

Ludicolo's Special Attack EVs are maximized to allow it to hit as hard as possible, and its Speed EVs are also maximized so it can outspeed as many Pokemon as possible both in and out of rain, notably outspeeding Choice Scarf Landorus and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele under rain. A Modest nature is used to boost its Special Attack even further, but Timid is always an option to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect and Choice Scarf Victini. Life Orb boosts Ludicolo's moves, making it a fearsome special attacker under rain. Waterium Z can be held to give Ludicolo a powerful one-time STAB attack. Swift Swim is used to double Ludicolo's Speed under rain.

Usage Tips
========

Ludicolo works best under rain thanks to Swift Swim, so avoid sending it out when rain isn't up. It is best used to punch holes in the enemy team early-game. If your opponent doesn't have a weather setter such as Tyranitar or Mega Charizard Y, Ludicolo can be a perfect lead to pressure the opposing team. If they have a weather setter, consider removing it first before sending in Ludicolo. Hydro Pump is Ludicolo's most powerful attack, especially under rain, so use it as often as possible to deal maximum damage. Ludicolo typically works best when it switches in on fairly weak resisted attacks such as Tapu Fini's Muddy Water. It can also work well as a late-game cleaner if you are able to clear its checks and set up rain, so consider saving Ludicolo and a rain setter if you see a chance to use it for this.

Team Options
========

Ludicolo needs a partner to set up rain, so either Pelipper or Politoed is necessary. Ludicolo also benefits from another rain attacker that can help wear down its checks, such as Kingdra or Mega Swampert. Because it relies heavily on rain, running a check for opposing weather setters is always a good idea. Pokemon that set weather such as Tyranitar, Alolan Ninetales, and Mega Charizard Y are beaten by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, and Tapu Koko. Fighting-types, such as Marshadow, can help deal with defensive checks to Ludicolo such as Ferrothorn, Kyurem-B, and Snorlax. A check to opposing speed control is useful, such as a Taunt user like Tapu Lele or Tapu Koko for Trick Room and your own Tailwind user such as Pelipper to deal with opposing Tailwind.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Focus Blast can be used to hit Kyurem-B, Tyranitar, and Ferrothorn, and Fightinium Z can give it a power boost and offset Focus Blast's poor accuracy. An Assault Vest set can be run to give Ludicolo more bulk and help it tank more special hits. Scald can be used over Hydro Pump, but it loses out on a lot of power.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Opposing Weather**: Abomasnow can counter Ludicolo and set up hail, which removes the advantages of rain. Mega Charizard Y can do this as well by setting up sun, weakening Ludicolo's main STAB moves.

**Bulky Attackers**: Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Snorlax, and Kyurem-B can all easily tank a hit from Ludicolo and either set up on it or deal a lot of damage to it.

**Faster Attackers**: Pokemon such as Genesect and Victini can carry a Choice Scarf and outspeed Ludicolo in rain and KO it.

**Opposing Speed Control**: Opposing Trick Room and Tailwind can allow strong Pokemon to outspeed Ludicolo, preventing it from attacking safely.
 
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