Hilomilo
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[OVERVIEW]
Ludicolo is a fearsome sweeper in the PU metagame by virtue of its access to Swift Swim, which allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame under rain. Furthermore, a decent Special Attack stat in tandem with a good STAB combination and nearly unresisted coverage allows it to adequately pressure offensive and defensive teams alike, and a fairly decent defensive typing and good special bulk allow it to tank some hits and find easy opportunities to set up on Pokemon like Floatzel and Lanturn. Unfortunately, Ludicolo is hindered by its poor Defense and Speed stats, as they can complicate setup and leave it susceptible to common threats in Skuntank, Primeape, and Archeops. It also suffers from the prevalence of Pokemon that can tank a hit in the rain and cripple or KO it in return, including Ferroseed, Swanna, and Assault Vest Hitmonchan. Lastly, Ludicolo's physical frailty can leave it prone to getting revenge killed by strong priority users, including Absol, Alolan Raticate, and especially Kangaskhan, which can stall out rain turns with Fake Out.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Giga Drain / Energy Ball
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rain Dance is mandatory for doubling Ludicolo's Speed and beginning a sweep, and it also supports some of Ludicolo's other teammates on dedicated rain teams. Hydro Pump is a powerful STAB attack that hits obscenely hard in the rain, OHKOing or 2HKOing the majority of neutral targets. Giga Drain allows Ludicolo to recover its health and is also useful for hitting Water-types such as Gastrodon and Lanturn. Energy Ball is an option over Giga Drain for its greater power, notably damaging the likes of Primeape and Swanna more reliably. Ice Beam hits the Grass- and Dragon-types that otherwise wall Ludicolo, including Lilligant, Alolan Exeggutor, and Drampa.
Set Details
========
Full investment in both Special Attack and Speed maximizes Ludicolo's offensive presence. 29 IVs are invested in HP to minimize damage taken from Life Orb. A Modest nature is used to maximize Ludicolo's damage output and because Timid isn't necessary when Ludicolo's doubled Speed allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame in addition to Choice Scarf users like Primeape anyway. Life Orb puts even more power behind Ludicolo's attacks, allowing it to secure KOs such as the 2HKO on Lanturn with Giga Drain and the 2HKO on Cradily with Focus Blast.
Usage Tips
========
Ludicolo should look to set up against Pokemon that can't adequately damage it, like Lilligant and Choice-locked Floatzel, or against Pokemon that it forces out, like Regirock or Gastrodon. It is also important to note that when not on a full rain team Ludicolo should be preserved for the late-game and rarely used early on, as it has an easier time sweeping once checks and counters are weakened. It can, however, be used as a late-game breaker if need be. If Ludicolo is up against a slower foe that is within range of a KO and isn't likely to switch out, it should usually just use an attack to revenge kill the opposing Pokemon so as not to take any damage. Lastly, Ludicolo should look for the opposing team to be generally weakened to begin its sweep, as while its good coverage lets it cover most of the metagame on its own, its middling power can compromise its sweeping chances.
Team Options
========
On dedicated rain teams, rain setters like Liepard, Volbeat, and Mesprit are important teammates for Ludicolo. All three also have access to U-turn, which allows them to safely bring Ludicolo into play. Mesprit can also set Stealth Rock, which can be useful for chipping Ludicolo's switch-ins, in addition to providing Healing Wish. Other pivots, such as Alolan Raichu and Primeape, can also safely bring Ludicolo into battle. Slow pivots like Lanturn and Probopass are particularly useful for minimizing its chances of taking damage. Other Swift Swim users, such as Kabutops and Poliwrath, can fit onto rain teams with Ludicolo and appreciate its ability to break past their common checks, like Gastrodon. Entry hazard support from the likes of Golurk and Piloswine can aid Ludicolo in punishing its switches and breaking past foes more easily in general. Powerful physical attackers like Stoutland, Gurdurr, and Zangoose adequately pressure the specially defensive Pokemon that Ludicolo struggles to break past, like Assault Vest Hitmonchan and Type: Null, while in return it can pressure the physically defensive Pokemon they're troubled with themselves, like Palossand.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Focus Blast is an alternative to Ice Beam that, while not as accurate, is useful for hitting the likes of Ferroseed, Type: Null and Abomasnow for super effective damage. Surf is an option for consistent and reliable damage over the less accurate Hydro Pump, though the loss in power is quite notable. Scald sacrifices power for better accuracy than Hydro Pump and a chance to burn that Surf doesn't have. However, given that Ludicolo looks to power through most foes, this often isn't a good option. Ludicolo can use Z-Crystals like Grassium Z and Icium Z to lure in and remove specific threats, but this cuts into the power its other attacks would have with a Life Orb, which is notably more valuable. Waterium Z is also a nice option due to its insane power in the rain, though it often isn't preferred for similar reasons. Choice Scarf can be used to lure in and KO a common check in Archeops, though it takes away from Ludicolo's power and is very situational in general. A Substitute + Leech Seed set can be used due to Ludicolo's decent defensive typing, though its poor physical bulk makes this hard to pull off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Various specially bulky Pokemon are capable of tanking Ludicolo's attacks easily due to its only decent Special Attack. Examples include Cradily and Type: Null.
**Bulky Attackers**: Due to Ludicolo's poor bulk overall, it is heavily pressured by strong offensive Pokemon that it fails to KO, including Throh and Assault Vest Hitmonchan.
**Strong Priority**: Strong priority attacks from Spiritomb and Skuntank can heavily dent Ludicolo and even revenge kill it after it's been whittled down some. Kangaskhan's priority attacks are particularly troublesome, as with Fake Out, it can damage Ludicolo while burning rain turns.
**Abomasnow and Aurorus**: By virtue of Snow Warning, Abomasnow and Aurorus can disrupt Ludicolo's rain. Abomasnow can tank any hit while pressuring Ludicolo with powerful STAB attacks, while Choice Scarf Aurorus can outspeed and OHKO Ludicolo with Freeze Dry.
Ludicolo is a fearsome sweeper in the PU metagame by virtue of its access to Swift Swim, which allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame under rain. Furthermore, a decent Special Attack stat in tandem with a good STAB combination and nearly unresisted coverage allows it to adequately pressure offensive and defensive teams alike, and a fairly decent defensive typing and good special bulk allow it to tank some hits and find easy opportunities to set up on Pokemon like Floatzel and Lanturn. Unfortunately, Ludicolo is hindered by its poor Defense and Speed stats, as they can complicate setup and leave it susceptible to common threats in Skuntank, Primeape, and Archeops. It also suffers from the prevalence of Pokemon that can tank a hit in the rain and cripple or KO it in return, including Ferroseed, Swanna, and Assault Vest Hitmonchan. Lastly, Ludicolo's physical frailty can leave it prone to getting revenge killed by strong priority users, including Absol, Alolan Raticate, and especially Kangaskhan, which can stall out rain turns with Fake Out.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Giga Drain / Energy Ball
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rain Dance is mandatory for doubling Ludicolo's Speed and beginning a sweep, and it also supports some of Ludicolo's other teammates on dedicated rain teams. Hydro Pump is a powerful STAB attack that hits obscenely hard in the rain, OHKOing or 2HKOing the majority of neutral targets. Giga Drain allows Ludicolo to recover its health and is also useful for hitting Water-types such as Gastrodon and Lanturn. Energy Ball is an option over Giga Drain for its greater power, notably damaging the likes of Primeape and Swanna more reliably. Ice Beam hits the Grass- and Dragon-types that otherwise wall Ludicolo, including Lilligant, Alolan Exeggutor, and Drampa.
Set Details
========
Full investment in both Special Attack and Speed maximizes Ludicolo's offensive presence. 29 IVs are invested in HP to minimize damage taken from Life Orb. A Modest nature is used to maximize Ludicolo's damage output and because Timid isn't necessary when Ludicolo's doubled Speed allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame in addition to Choice Scarf users like Primeape anyway. Life Orb puts even more power behind Ludicolo's attacks, allowing it to secure KOs such as the 2HKO on Lanturn with Giga Drain and the 2HKO on Cradily with Focus Blast.
Usage Tips
========
Ludicolo should look to set up against Pokemon that can't adequately damage it, like Lilligant and Choice-locked Floatzel, or against Pokemon that it forces out, like Regirock or Gastrodon. It is also important to note that when not on a full rain team Ludicolo should be preserved for the late-game and rarely used early on, as it has an easier time sweeping once checks and counters are weakened. It can, however, be used as a late-game breaker if need be. If Ludicolo is up against a slower foe that is within range of a KO and isn't likely to switch out, it should usually just use an attack to revenge kill the opposing Pokemon so as not to take any damage. Lastly, Ludicolo should look for the opposing team to be generally weakened to begin its sweep, as while its good coverage lets it cover most of the metagame on its own, its middling power can compromise its sweeping chances.
Team Options
========
On dedicated rain teams, rain setters like Liepard, Volbeat, and Mesprit are important teammates for Ludicolo. All three also have access to U-turn, which allows them to safely bring Ludicolo into play. Mesprit can also set Stealth Rock, which can be useful for chipping Ludicolo's switch-ins, in addition to providing Healing Wish. Other pivots, such as Alolan Raichu and Primeape, can also safely bring Ludicolo into battle. Slow pivots like Lanturn and Probopass are particularly useful for minimizing its chances of taking damage. Other Swift Swim users, such as Kabutops and Poliwrath, can fit onto rain teams with Ludicolo and appreciate its ability to break past their common checks, like Gastrodon. Entry hazard support from the likes of Golurk and Piloswine can aid Ludicolo in punishing its switches and breaking past foes more easily in general. Powerful physical attackers like Stoutland, Gurdurr, and Zangoose adequately pressure the specially defensive Pokemon that Ludicolo struggles to break past, like Assault Vest Hitmonchan and Type: Null, while in return it can pressure the physically defensive Pokemon they're troubled with themselves, like Palossand.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Focus Blast is an alternative to Ice Beam that, while not as accurate, is useful for hitting the likes of Ferroseed, Type: Null and Abomasnow for super effective damage. Surf is an option for consistent and reliable damage over the less accurate Hydro Pump, though the loss in power is quite notable. Scald sacrifices power for better accuracy than Hydro Pump and a chance to burn that Surf doesn't have. However, given that Ludicolo looks to power through most foes, this often isn't a good option. Ludicolo can use Z-Crystals like Grassium Z and Icium Z to lure in and remove specific threats, but this cuts into the power its other attacks would have with a Life Orb, which is notably more valuable. Waterium Z is also a nice option due to its insane power in the rain, though it often isn't preferred for similar reasons. Choice Scarf can be used to lure in and KO a common check in Archeops, though it takes away from Ludicolo's power and is very situational in general. A Substitute + Leech Seed set can be used due to Ludicolo's decent defensive typing, though its poor physical bulk makes this hard to pull off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Various specially bulky Pokemon are capable of tanking Ludicolo's attacks easily due to its only decent Special Attack. Examples include Cradily and Type: Null.
**Bulky Attackers**: Due to Ludicolo's poor bulk overall, it is heavily pressured by strong offensive Pokemon that it fails to KO, including Throh and Assault Vest Hitmonchan.
**Strong Priority**: Strong priority attacks from Spiritomb and Skuntank can heavily dent Ludicolo and even revenge kill it after it's been whittled down some. Kangaskhan's priority attacks are particularly troublesome, as with Fake Out, it can damage Ludicolo while burning rain turns.
**Abomasnow and Aurorus**: By virtue of Snow Warning, Abomasnow and Aurorus can disrupt Ludicolo's rain. Abomasnow can tank any hit while pressuring Ludicolo with powerful STAB attacks, while Choice Scarf Aurorus can outspeed and OHKO Ludicolo with Freeze Dry.
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