Why Pelipper Is the Best Rain Setter in Pokemon Champions
Weather control is one of the most powerful team archetypes in competitive Pokemon, and rain teams in Pokemon Champions benefit from one of the cleanest enablers the game has to offer. Pelipper's Drizzle ability summons permanent rain the moment it enters the field, instantly activating Swift Swim for teammates and boosting Water-type moves by 50 percent.
What separates Pelipper from its competition as a rain setter is its access to Hurricane. The 110 base power Flying-type move normally has 70% accuracy, but in rain conditions it hits perfectly every single time. This means Pelipper is not just a passive weather enabler but an active offensive threat that opponents cannot ignore after it sets rain.
The Water and Flying typing gives Pelipper a strong defensive profile for a rain setter. Ground immunity through Flying type is especially useful because most Electric-type checks to Pelipper rely on Earthquake, which does nothing. Pelipper's only real vulnerabilities are Ice and Rock moves, neither of which is overwhelmingly common in the current meta.
Pelipper uses Drizzle to automatically summon rain on entry
Building Pelipper for Rain Success
Damp Rock is the mandatory held item for any serious rain team setup. It extends the rain duration from 5 turns to 8 turns, which translates directly into more opportunities for Swift Swim sweepers to attack at doubled Speed before opposing weather setters can switch in and override the rain.
For EVs, maximum HP investment keeps Pelipper on the field long enough to reuse Drizzle if the rain expires or if Pelipper is forced out and brought back in. Maximum Special Attack lets Hurricane and Scald deal meaningful damage even when Pelipper is functioning as a support piece. The remaining EVs go into Special Defense to handle Electric-type special attacks more comfortably.
Modest nature is preferred over Timid for Pelipper because its Speed is low enough that investing in it rarely improves matchups significantly. Pelipper's primary job is to switch in, set rain, and either attack or use support moves before pivoting out. Bulk and Special Attack serve that role better than extra Speed.
Pelipper's Best Moveset in Champions
Hurricane is the lead offensive option on any Pelipper moveset due to its perfect accuracy in rain and high base power. Scald is the secondary STAB move, benefiting from rain's 50 percent Water boost and carrying a 30 percent burn chance that can cripple physical attackers. Together they provide reliable damage output in any situation where rain is active.
U-turn is a critical inclusion for competitive Pelipper play. It allows Pelipper to bring in a Swift Swim sweeper immediately after setting rain without giving the opponent a free switch, maintaining momentum while fulfilling the weather support role. Losing the ability to pivot safely would significantly reduce Pelipper's consistency.
Roost fills the fourth slot to let Pelipper recover HP and maintain its ability to reset rain across a long game. Alternatively, Knock Off can be used to remove opposing Damp Rock and Smooth Rock, preventing the opponent from extending their own weather to override rain. The choice between Roost and Knock Off depends on whether your team needs Pelipper to stay healthy or neutralise enemy weather threats.
Swift Swim Teammates and Rain Team Synergy
Kingdra is the classic Swift Swim partner for Pelipper. Under rain it hits 100% accuracy Hurricane targets, doubles its Speed to become faster than almost anything in the game, and has access to Draco Meteor for coverage. Kingdra is the gold standard rain sweeper and should be the first teammate considered when building around Pelipper.
Barraskewda is a purely offensive Swift Swim option for teams that want maximum physical sweeping power. Under rain with Swift Swim active, Barraskewda outspeeds the entire unboosted tier and hits with Liquidation or Close Combat for staggering damage totals. It works better in teams that already have Special Attack covered elsewhere.
Ludicolo is worth mentioning for Doubles formats specifically. Swift Swim plus Water Absorb flexibility and Fake Out support make it a useful tool in Doubles rain teams where turn order and speed control are especially important. In Singles, it is usually outclassed by the pure offensive pressure of Kingdra.
How to Use Pelipper in Pokemon Champions Matches
Pelipper typically leads matches or enters the field at the moment when weather control becomes the deciding factor. In matchups where the opponent is not using weather at all, Pelipper's most effective gameplan is to set rain on the first turn and immediately U-turn into a Swift Swim sweeper before the opponent can respond.
Against opposing weather teams, the matchup becomes a battle of weather control. Pelipper loses directly to Tyranitar and Abomasnow, both of which override rain with sand and hail respectively. Having a teammate who can threaten these sand and snow setters is essential for preventing the rain from being negated mid-sweep.
Pelipper rewards teams that are built cohesively around the rain strategy rather than used as an afterthought. When the entire team synergises with rain conditions, from Swift Swim sweepers to boosted Water moves to Thunder's perfect accuracy in rain, the archetype can feel nearly unbeatable at average ranks and remains effective even at high ladder play.
