Optimizing Rain Teams: VGC Archaludon Counter Strategies
Summary
The Pokémon Champions | VGC Battles & Tournaments community is actively discussing competitive rain team optimizations. This thread focuses on countering Archaludon, debating the viability of Mega Swampert versus Starmie, and the transition from Palafin to Basculegion for increased utility. Members share strategic insights on move sets, priority moves like Aqua Jet, and effective item choices to maintain a competitive edge in the current VGC meta.
peak masters 2 but I struggle with other Archaludon, any tips?
Discord sent us an expired image link.
Discord sent us an expired image link.
i've been toying around with the idea of dropping Dragon Pulse on my Arch for Aura Sphere sprcifically to deal with other Arch's. Not sure if it's any good, but Earth Power or Aura Sphere are the best bets against da bridge
Mega Swampert is going to be better than Starmie, and will help a lot against other Archaludons as a defensive switch
Often you will also have to use your own bridge and position it to kill theirs first
Yeah I lowk tested that one but it then struggles with really anything that resists electric
And you should also replace Palafin with Basculegion, for more immediate damage and utility.
I actually like the Klefki pick though! And Dragonite is fine as a secondary mega to swampert
Yeah I was thinking that
Basc might js be better palafin
What do you think abt psychic fangs life orb basc?
not might, it just is
Yeah
In this context tho I like close combat against steel types
But I could prolly js use swampert for the ground stab
pal does have the advantage of not immediately dying to kingambit if you make a wrong read
Yeah
I’ll put on basc I can always switch back if I can’t deal with gambit
My fear is I’ll have no priority with all of these changes
the humble aqua jet
Honestly it’s not that bad
It one shots most mega raichu y in rain
I’d be like completely lost in that matchup without it
i run mystic water basc
it does one shot charizard too with aqua jet
I like life orb ngl cuz it’s more like a delete button
yeah, i just prefer not losing 10%
Fair
and last respect doesn't really need the extra power
that shit busted
Yeah
i hate last respects
Adamant life orb basc is probably 1 shoting everything that doesn’t resist ngl
even resist get's like 2 shotted in rain
wave crash go brrrr
if starmie had wave crash it would actually be considered
before getting dropped because basc doesn't need a mega slot and can hold an item making it deal more damage
but at least starmie is faster
Okay so tested it and ran into 3 gambits in a row
Imma switch flash cannon for aura sphere cuz fairy doesn’t resist water and most get 1 shot by starmie
I think that will help with opposing Archaludon asw
True
Maybe if they add Assault Vest it'll be better to drop protect for Aura Sphere
I’m ngl I tilted 3 games before winning 1 with basc
It might be skill issue cuz idk how to play basc well atm
I’ll keep trying it but imma prolly have to change up the team a bit to fit basc better
basc really needs speed control
Yes
Swift swim is fine I think
ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I don’t rlly have anywhere for tailwind
Except peli and I think it’s moveset is pretty set on this team
Honestly I think I could change palafin but I don’t think replacing it with basc is the play on this team specifically
you could run tailwind on dragonite instead of weather ball
Lowk could but then I run into the problem where dragonite can’t deal with steel types
thunder already does decent to most of them
Also I’m looking for swampert but I don’t have home or go so it might take a bit
and basc has better watertype damage anyways
Fair
Shouldn’t be too bad
Discord sent us an expired image link.
Discord sent us an expired image link.
(Switched knock off for ice punch after going against Noivern game 1)
