http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/rayquaza
Just a big fat rewording here.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dancer
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake / Stone Edge
move 4: Overheat
item: Life Orb
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Jolly Rayquaza outspeeds every non-Scarfed Pokémon except Deoxys-S after a Dragon Dance, making it a powerful sweeper. Outrage can OHKO almost every Pokémon that doesn't resist it. Overheat will easily OHKO Forretress and Skarmory, who would otherwise wall it. Earthquake can OHKO Metagross and defensive Dialga.</p>
<p>Jolly Rayquaza is perfered, because it will always outspeed and OHKO Timid Choice Scarf Dialga after one Dragon Dance. When using Jolly, standard Bold Lugia has a chance to survive a boosted Outrage after Stealth Rock damage. Stone Edge can be used over Earthquake or Overheat to OHKO Lugia under the same circumstances. Adamant Rayquaza can OHKO Lugia with a boosted Outrage after Stealth Rock damage. Adamant Rayquaza will outsped by Deoxys-A after a Dragon Dance, however. Because of this, ExtremeSpeed should be used over Earthquake or Overheat when Adamant, to beat Deoxys-A. When using Extremespeed, max the Speed EVs, to revenge kill Swords Dance Rayquaza.</p>
<p>Rayquaza will struggle to do damage to bulkier Lugia and Scarfers like Palkia. Wobbuffet can switch into all Choiced attacks (except Darkrai's Dark Pulse). Wobbuffet can then KO them with Mirror Coat or Counter. By Encoring a support move or a Ground-type move, Rayquaza can set up. The Tickle+Pursuiter combo can remove Lugia from the field. Scizor is recommended, as it can switch in on Dragon and Ice attacks and threaten the opposition, as well as deal with Gengar and Weavile. Thunder Wave Kyogre lures in and cripples Scarf Palkia, a common DDQuaza revenge killer.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dancer
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: ExtremeSpeed
move 3: Dragon Claw / Waterfall
move 4: Earthquake / Overheat
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Whilst Swords Dancing with Rayquaza won't improve its luckluster speed, ExtremeSpeed makes up for it, making SDQuaza one of Uber's most threatening sweepers. ExtremeSpeed OHKOs many powerful threats, including Darkrai, Palkia and Mewtwo.</p>
<p>Dragon Claw will OHKO Giratina after a Swords Dance, and severely harm slower Pokémon. Waterfall doesn't have STAB, but it hits Groudon much harder and also packs an occasional flinch. Earthquake or Overheat are the best choices for the last slot. Earthquake takes out Steel-types such as Metagross who can take Rayquaza's other attacks. Overheat easily OHKOs Forretress, Skarmory and Scizor.</p>
<p>An Adamant nature is preferable, since ExtremeSpeed will be its main attack. Jolly could be used over Adamant, to outspeed other Rayquaza to the ExtremeSpeed. If Rayquaza is using Outrage, Jolly should be used too. This, however, does leave Rayquaza easily revenge killed, but it does OHKO Groudon and Lugia after an Swords Dance. The issue here is that with Jolly, Rayquaza has a much lower chance of KOing Mewtwo and Palkia with ExtremeSpeed. Jolly is only worth it if you can't defeat Lugia.</p>
<p>This Rayquaza has problems with Lugia, moreso than the Dragon Dance set. Because of this, Wobbuffet can support Rayquaza in various ways. By using Tickle, Wobbuffet can weaken Lugia so a Pursuiter like Scizor can KO it, paving the way for Rayquaza. Scizor can also crush Gengar and Weavile. Choice Scarfed Steel-types are another roadblock for Rayquaza, Dialga in particular, although Metagross and Heatran are also used. Wobbuffet can easily switch in and proceed to take them out with Counter or Mirror Coat. Wobbuffet can also give Rayquaza a free Swords Dance by Encoring a non-threatening move. Choice Band Garchomp will 2HKO both Wobbuffet and Scizor and has the bulk to take an ExtremeSpeed. Choice Scarf Metagross can beat non-scarfed Garchomp's with Ice Punch, as well as switch-in on Dragon attacks aimed at Rayquaza.</p>
<p>Entry hazards are extremely important, in order to get OHKOs on Pokemon like Palkia and Mewtwo. Deoxys-S can set up both Stealth Rock and Spikes right at the beginning of the match. The damage will Mewtwo and Palkia be OHKOed by a +2 ExtremeSpeed and Garchomp will have a 92% chance of being KOed by the same move. Support Groudon and Forretress are options over Deoxys-S. Groudon lays down Stealth Rock and lures Lugia in, before crippling it with Toxic. Forretress can switch in on Ice Beams and set up Spikes. Forretress also has Rapid Spin, removing Stealth Rock so Rayquaza is kept healthy.</p>
[SET]
name: Mixquaza
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: ExtremeSpeed
move 4: Outrage / Brick Break
item: Life Orb
nature: Hasty / Naive
evs: 40 Atk / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rayquaza's base 150 Special Attack gives it the ability to cripple its common switch-ins. Draco Meteor is Rayquaza's main attack, maiming Rayquaza's main counters, Groudon and Lugia. Most Groudon won't survive it, while Lugia is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock.</p>
<p>Fire Blast kills Specially Defensive Steels, such as Metagross and Jirachi, that can take a Draco Meteor. ExtremeSpeed cleans up weakened Pokémon who threaten to ruin your fun, but more importantly, it OHKOs Deoxys-A.</p>
<p>For the last slot, Outrage or Brick Break can be used. Outrage is a very powerful attack, despite little Attack investment, so it can still 2HKO Kyogre. Brick Break can 2HKO Blissey, and break Light Screen and Reflect. Once the screens are down, Rayquaza can KO Mew with a combination of Draco Meteor followed by ExtreemeSpeed.</p>
<p>With the given EVs, Rayquaza outruns all base 90 speed Ubers and 307 Speed Lugia. The Attack EVs can be moved to Speed to speed tie with other Rayquaza and faster Lugia. EVs in Special Attack can also be moved to Attack if you use ExtremeSpeed and Outrage.</p>
<p>By removing Groudon and Lugia, Mixquaza can help other sweepers. Lucario can easily sweep without Lugia around, and Rayquaza resists Lucario's weaknesses. SubSalac Groudon also appreciates Lugia's abscene. Without Lugia, stall teams can crumble to SubSalac Groudon, as Substitute protects Groudon from Giratina. Bulk Up Dialga can sweep through teams after Groudon is eliminated. Jirachi is a useful teammate for mixed Rayquaza, because it can pass Wish easily with no Groudon's around. Jirachi can also paralyse fast sweepers with Body Slam, helping Rayquaza greatly. Dragon Dance Tyranitar can sweep through a team with Scizor and Groudon eliminated. Rayquaza's usual teammates, Scizor and Wobbuffet, deal with Scarfers.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Choice Band Rayquaza is usable, but is mostly outclassed by Choice Band Garchomp. Choice Specs Rayquaza is viable, although Dialga and Palkia usually do a better job at it. Thunder Wave does cripple Scarfers, but Rayquaza isn't much of a supporter. Ice Beam is extremely obsolete with Draco Meteor. Rayquaza produces 101 HP Substitutes to block Seismic Tosses, but Blissey often carries Ice Beam. Bulk Up allows Rayquaza to survive a Choice Banded Stone Edge from Groudon and OHKO back with Outrage. Toxic can poison Lugia, but once again, Rayquaza shouldn't use support moves. Using Sleep Talk allows Rayquaza to use Outrage without being locked. Rest generally isn't worth it, due to Rayquaza's lack of defensive prowess. Crunch can hit the many Psychics in Ubers.</p>
<p>Focus Sash lets Rayquaza survive a hit and set up . Haban Berry can be used with the Dancers, to survive Choiced Dragon attacks, before OHKOing in return.</p>
[EVs]
<p>216 Speed EVs let Rayquaza outspeed neutral base 90s with a neutral speed nature and outspeed +Speed Groudon/Kyogre with +Speed. When Dragon Dancing, you can max speed to speed tie with other Rayquaza. The extra 4 EVs shouldn't go in HP, as that maximises Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil. When Swords Dancing, an EV spread of 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spe can be used. It minimises Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil and outspeeds minimum Lugia.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Rayquaza almost always benefits from Stealth Rock, helping get KOs on the likes of Lugia. Rapid Spin support is also helpful, letting Rayquaza switch in more often. Forretress works great with Rayquaza, as it easily takes Dragon and Ice attacks, while Rayquaza resists Fire.</p>
<p>Most Choice Scarfers and Lugia are Rayquaza's main enemies. Wobbuffet can revenge kil every common Scarfer except Darkrai. Sleep Talk Kyogre takes on Darkrai and scares Heatran. Scizor can switch in on attacks aimed at Rayquaza and do huge amounts of damage, as well as check Gengar and Weavile. A Taunt + Calm Mind Mewtwo can use Lugias as set-up bait, as does Darkrai.</p>
<p>Defensive partners for Rayquaza are those that resist its weaknesses. Jirachi resists all of Rayquaza's weaknesses and vice versa, can heal Rayquaza with Wish and paralyse fast threats with Body Slam. Scizor doesn't resist Rock, but is packs much more power. Kyogre resists Ice moves and in return, Rayquaza takes little damage from Grass moves. Lucario can lure Scarfed Dialga in, then switch Rayquaza into the Aura Sphere or Fire Blast and set up.</p>
<p>Lugia's common partners include Pokemon like Palkia, Dialga, Groudon and Darkrai. These are all capable of being Rayquaza checks. This is entirely set dependant though. For example, Dragon Dance Rayquaza is checked by Scarf Palkia, Scarf Darkrai and defensive Groudon. Wobbuffet can eliminate Palkia, whilst Scizor easily defeats Darkrai and Groudon won't stand a chance against Kyogre. Swords Dance Rayquaza has different checks, Scarf Dialga and Lugia. Wobbuffet beats Dialga easily and can beat Lugia in tandem with Scizor. Garchomp is more consistant as a check, but the only Rayquaza checks commonly seen with it are Darkrai and Groudon, who lose to the Swords Dancer.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Rayquaza is one of the most threatening forces in the Uber metagame. It is capable of sweeping half a team when Dragon Dancing until Outrage confuses it or if Life Orb recoil destroys it. Rayquaza is a hellish priority sweeper too, that can force teams to use Choice Scarf Steel-types or Garchomp. Rayquaza can even be a deadly mixed attacker that rips through its most common switch-ins. If Rayquaza gets that Dance in, the game may already be over.</p>
<p>Rayquaza is very fragile though. The combination of the sheer offensiveness of Ubers, Rayquaza's mediocre defenses and Stealth Rock means Rayquaza may not stick around long. Rayquaza often has to rely on Choice items to set up. Despite these flaws, Rayquaza is still a fearsome threat that can rip unprepared teams apart.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Cresselia can take an Outrage and OHKO with Ice Beam, but it loses to the mixed set. Without a Fire move, Skarmory walls Rayquaza. Lugia can take attacks from the Swords Dancer and OHKO with Ice Beam, but it loses to the Dragon Dancer and Mixquaza. Metagross easily takes Dragon attacks and strikes back with Ice Punch or Meteor Mash.</p>
<p>Adamant Rayquaza won't outspeed Deoxys-A after a Dragon Dance and it KOs Rayquaza with an Ice move. Scarfers with a base Speed above 95 such as Palkia and Mewtwo outspeed Rayquaza after a Dragon Dance and KO it. Scarfed Steel types like Dialga and Metagross revenge kill Swords Dance Rayquaza. Gengar and Garchomp can revenge kill both Dancing Rayquazas if they hold Choice Scarf, Gengar due to its Ghost typing and Garchomp due to its bulk. Weavile swiftly downs Rayquaza with Ice Shard, unless it's a Dragon Dancer with ExtremeSpeed. The most defensive Groudons can survive an Outrage and KO with Stone Edge.</p>
