Rain teams in Pokémon Champions: how they work and how to beat them

Rain is the most common archetype in Regulation M-C: about one in five tournament teams on this site runs Pelipper or Politoed.

The core

• Setter: Pelipper (Tailwind, Wide Guard, Hurricane) or Politoed (bulkier, Icy Wind, Encore).
• Archaludon: Electro Shot charges in one turn under rain and hits both opponents.
• A Water attacker: Basculegion, Palafin, Urshifu Rapid Strike or Mega Swampert.
• Support: Incineroar or Rillaboom, which also beats enemy Water teams.
• A Mega: Golisopod, Dragonite, Gengar or Metagross depending on the build.

How to pilot it

• Lead the setter with Archaludon or the Water attacker. Rain goes up on entry, attack immediately.
• Keep Tailwind for the turn the opponent brings their own speed control.
• Switch Pelipper out before it dies, rain stays for five turns (eight with Damp Rock) and you may need it again.

How to beat it

• Set your own weather: Torkoal, Charizard Y or Ninetales remove rain on entry.
• Rillaboom with Grassy Glide hits every Water Pokémon first.
• Fake Out the setter on turn one and pressure Archaludon before Electro Shot.
• Mega Raichu Y with Lightning Rod absorbs Electro Shot and redirects Thunder.

Browse all rain codes on the Rain archetype page.

Updated 2026-10-20