[OVERVIEW]
Thundurus is one of the top offensive threats in modern ORAS. It outspeeds a majority of the OU tier given that it lies just above the crucial base 110 Speed tier. Its unique typing and decent bulk make it a decent pivot into common metagame staples such as Excadrill, Serperior, and Tornadus-T. It also has access to both Thunder Wave and Knock Off, two great tools that disrupt both defensive and offensive teams. Prankster Thunder Wave allows it to act as an emergency check to sweepers and faster threats, giving it valuable utility for offensive teams. Thundurus also has access to Nasty Plot, making it a powerful sweeper. Finally, Thundurus has access to Focus Blast, making it one of the few Electric-types that can punish Excadrill and Ferrothorn. Unfortunately, Thundurus has no recovery moves nd is weak to Stealth Rock, making it hard to preserve throughout the match. Furthermore, it doesn't learn powerful or reliable Flying-type moves such as Hurricane and Air Slash.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Prankster
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Thunder Wave, alongside Prankster, makes Thundurus a very strong disruptive and anti-offense tool. Hidden Power Ice hits bulky Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Gliscor, Grass-types such as Serperior and Amoonguss, and Dragon-types such as Latias and Garchomp. Focus Blast hits Pokemon that resist Electric and take little damage from Hidden Power Ice, such as Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Quagsire, and Kyurem-B. Volt Switch provides the team with momentum, allowing Thundurus to chip its counters such as Chansey and Clefable, while pivoting into a teammate that can threaten them out immediately. With how prevelant Stealth Rock is in ORAS and how hard it is to get it off, Volt Switch is the preferred STAB move over Thunderbolt, as it accumulates more damage throughout the game with all the momentum it grabs with Stealth Rock up.
Set Details
========
Prankster gives Thundurus priority Thunder Wave, allowing it act as an emergency check to sweepers and faster threats. Leftovers is the chosen item on Thundurus over the traditional Life Orb because it mitigates Thundurus's weakness to Stealth Rock and provides longevity. Rocky Helmet is an alternative that indirectly increases Thundurus's damage, and it can be used to chip Pokemon going for weak moves such as U-turn, Rapid Spin, and Fake Out. The given spread with a Timid nature gives Thundurus as much Speed and power as possbile, enabling it to threaten base 110 Speed Pokemon effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Thundurus's unique coverage of both Hidden Power Ice and Focus Blast allows it to bypass the most commonly used Ground-types, mainly Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Garchomp. Thunder Wave should be used against sweepers that can otherwise sweep your team, such as Volcarona, Mega Charizard X, and Serperior. With another Volt Switch or U-turn user, Thundurus can initiate momentum loops that can create a lot of passive damage on the enemy team, especially with Stealth Rock up.
Team Options
========
Thundurus fits well on offensive teams, as it provides both offensive pressure and utility in Prankster Thunder Wave. Thundurus thrives with teammates that can create VoltTurn cores with its own Volt Switch, such as Mega Scizor and Landorus-T with U-turn (RC) or and Rotom-W with Volt Switch. Pokemon such as Serperior, Clefable, and Latios that can take advantage of bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Seismitoad are greatly appreciated. Strong Stealth Rock setters that can keep Stealth Rock on the enemy side of the field such as Garchomp or Landorus-T are also great, as they can elevate Thundurus's pressure with Stealth Rock's constant presence.
[SET]
name: Bulky Pivot
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Knock Off / Focus Blast / Taunt
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Timid
evs: 240 HP / 16 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Prankster Thunder Wave enables Thundurus to cripple faster attackers and sweepers, especially in ORAS where paralysis is a 75% Speed reduction. Hidden Power Ice allows Thundurus to 2HKO many common Ground-types, even without Special Attack investment, including Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor. Knock Off provides further utility by removing important items such as Leftovers from common switch-ins such as Hippowdon, Excadrill, and Clefable. Focus Blast is an alternative that can still 2HKO Excadrill even without Special Attack investment. Taunt is an alternative that enables Thundurus to disrupt its both defensive and offensive answers, especially with Prankster. Volt Switch gives Thundurus's teammates momentum and safe switching.
Set Details
========
Prankster gives Thundurus priority Thunder Wave and Taunt, allowing it be a great disrupter of both defensive and offensive teams. Rocky Helmet is the preferred item, as it reduces Thundurus's passivity that it can suffer from a lack of Special Attack investment. However, Leftovers is still a valid option, as it maximizes Thundurus's longevity and mitigates its Stealth Rock weakness. The given spread maximizes Thundurus's overall bulk while letting it live Mega Lopunny's combination of Fake Out and Return. This allows Thundurus to pivot into Mega Lopunny multiple times throughout the game if timed correctly. Maximum Speed with a Timid nature is used to outspeed base 110s such as Mega Diancie and Mega Metagross.
Usage Tips
========
Thundurus's unique typing, decent bulk, and access to Prankster Thunder Wave enable it to be a great blanket check to many offensive threats that are susceptible to paralysis. Pokemon like Mega Lopunny, Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Weavile often have to switch out from Thundurus despite being able to OHKO it, out of fear from getting paralyzed by Prankster Thunder Wave. Knock Off is a great tool to cripple the enemy team slowly, especially early-game. Thundurus is often a great lead, but be sure to preserve it as much as possible to maintain its ability to provide speed control and an emergency Thunder Wave.
Team Options
========
Bulky Thundurus fits well on both offensive teams and bulky offensive teams. Most teams appreciate Prankster Thunder Wave, especially ones that are susceptible to getting swept. Pokemon that can reliably remove Stealth Rock from the field, such as Rapid Spin Excadrill and Defog Latias, are greatly appreciated, as they can extend Thundurus's longevity. Pokemon that can cover Thundurus's weakness to Rock- and Ice-type attacks, such as Keldeo, Bisharp, and Mega Metagross, are great partners.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Prankster
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Nasty Plot allows Thundurus to become an immediate threat, doubling its Special Attack and allowing it to OHKO or 2HKO most of the metagame. Hidden Power Ice hits bulky Ground-types such as Garchomp, Gliscor, and Landorus-T. After a Nasty Plot boost, it can 2HKO many of its checks such as Hippowdon, Latias, and Amoonguss. Focus Blast provides great damage on Electric-resistant foes such as Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Gastrodon, Mega Charizard X, and Kyurem-B. Thunderbolt is the preferred STAB option, as it provides the most consistent damage, especially when Volt Switch results in removing the Nasty Plot boosts.
Set Details
========
Prankster is still the preferred ability on Thundurus even without Thunder Wave, as Thunder Wave can still be bluffed before the Nasty Plot reveal. Alternatively, Defiant can bluff a mixed offensive set, which can be used to Thundurus's advantage if timed correctly on a Defog. Leftovers is the preferred item to provide Thundurus with longevity, allowing it to possibly set up Nasty Plot more than once per game. Life Orb is still a strong option, as it turns Thundurus to a powerful nuke, especially after Nasty Plot. Many of its near OHKOs, such as those on Serperior and Latios, become guaranteed with the additional Life Orb boost. The given spread with a Timid nature allows Thundurus to be as fast and powerful as possible, taking full advantage of its base 111 Speed and making it harder to revenge kill.
Usage Tips
========
Against slower teams, Thundurus can find opportunities to setup on more passive Pokemon, such as utility Excadrill or Ferrothorn, to attempt to punch holes in the enemy team composition. Against more offensive teams, it is more advisable for Thundurus to not set up and simply focus on attacking, as this proves to be more effective at disrupting the opposing team's strategy, and it can maintain the Thunder Wave bluff for as long as possible.
Team Options
========
Nasty Plot Thundurus is mostly used on offensive teams that can create momentum and double down on the holes in the enemy team Thundurus can often create. Nasty Plot Thundurus is much easier to revenge kill than Thunder Wave variants, so teammates that can switch in on strong threats such as Weavile and Mega Lopunny are great. Pokemon that can get timely entry hazard removal, such as Rapid Spin Excadrill and Defog Latias, are also appreciated. Latias in particular also has access to Healing Wish, which can synergize well with Nasty Plot Thundurus, giving it a second chance to sweep after trading its health to weaken the enemy team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A mixed offensive set with Defiant is old but still viable. Superpower and Knock Off are surprise coverage moves that hit some of Thundurus's typical checks hard, especially after a +2 boost from Defog. Grass Knot and Hidden Power Flying are two very notable coverage moves on Thundurus, especially the Nasty Plot set, as they can aid Thundurus in getting past common counters such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Mega Venusaur. It is also worth to note that Rocky Helmet can still be used on the Nasty Plot set, as it provdes chip damage on Fake Out users and can let Thundurus bluff a Thunder Wave set better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Nidoking are immune to Thundurus's STAB moves and Thunder Wave, making them good natural checks to it. These Pokemon in particular do not take much damage from Hidden Power Ice or Focus Blast and can often threaten Thundurus with status or a KO.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, Serperior, and Assault Vest Tangrowth resist Thundurus's STAB moves and avoid the 2HKO from Hidden Power Ice or Focus Blast. Mega Venusaur is one of its best counters, as the Thick Fat ability allows it to take very little damage from Hidden Power Ice. Serperior is notable because it is one of the Pokemon that outspeeds Thundurus. Tangrowth can continuously check Thundurus due to Regenerator. Amoonguss's Clear Smog neutralizes the Special Attack raise from Nasty Plot even if another Pokemon is already asleep and Amoonguss can't use Spore.
**Special Walls**: Pokemon such as Chansey, specially defensive Clefable, and Heatran are great pivots into Thundurus. However, they can get overwhelmed by Stealth Rock and Volt Switch chip damage over the course of the battle, not to mention that Knock Off or Taunt is usually devastating for them.
**Bulky Dragon-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Latios, and Mega Charizard X resist Thundurus's STAB moves and avoid getting OHKOed from Hidden Power Ice or Focus Blast. However, these Pokemon are often beaten by the Nasty Plot set, and they do not appreciate paralysis.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rufflespro.193716/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/paprikaflow.591583/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mixnite.663475/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Thundurus is one of the top offensive threats in modern ORAS. It outspeeds a majority of the OU tier given that it lies just above the crucial base 110 Speed tier. Its unique typing and decent bulk make it a decent pivot into common metagame staples such as Excadrill, Serperior, and Tornadus-T. It also has access to both Thunder Wave and Knock Off, two great tools that disrupt both defensive and offensive teams. Prankster Thunder Wave allows it to act as an emergency check to sweepers and faster threats, giving it valuable utility for offensive teams. Thundurus also has access to Nasty Plot, making it a powerful sweeper. Finally, Thundurus has access to Focus Blast, making it one of the few Electric-types that can punish Excadrill and Ferrothorn. Unfortunately, Thundurus has no recovery moves nd is weak to Stealth Rock, making it hard to preserve throughout the match. Furthermore, it doesn't learn powerful or reliable Flying-type moves such as Hurricane and Air Slash.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Prankster
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Thunder Wave, alongside Prankster, makes Thundurus a very strong disruptive and anti-offense tool. Hidden Power Ice hits bulky Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Gliscor, Grass-types such as Serperior and Amoonguss, and Dragon-types such as Latias and Garchomp. Focus Blast hits Pokemon that resist Electric and take little damage from Hidden Power Ice, such as Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Quagsire, and Kyurem-B. Volt Switch provides the team with momentum, allowing Thundurus to chip its counters such as Chansey and Clefable, while pivoting into a teammate that can threaten them out immediately. With how prevelant Stealth Rock is in ORAS and how hard it is to get it off, Volt Switch is the preferred STAB move over Thunderbolt, as it accumulates more damage throughout the game with all the momentum it grabs with Stealth Rock up.
Set Details
========
Prankster gives Thundurus priority Thunder Wave, allowing it act as an emergency check to sweepers and faster threats. Leftovers is the chosen item on Thundurus over the traditional Life Orb because it mitigates Thundurus's weakness to Stealth Rock and provides longevity. Rocky Helmet is an alternative that indirectly increases Thundurus's damage, and it can be used to chip Pokemon going for weak moves such as U-turn, Rapid Spin, and Fake Out. The given spread with a Timid nature gives Thundurus as much Speed and power as possbile, enabling it to threaten base 110 Speed Pokemon effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Thundurus's unique coverage of both Hidden Power Ice and Focus Blast allows it to bypass the most commonly used Ground-types, mainly Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Garchomp. Thunder Wave should be used against sweepers that can otherwise sweep your team, such as Volcarona, Mega Charizard X, and Serperior. With another Volt Switch or U-turn user, Thundurus can initiate momentum loops that can create a lot of passive damage on the enemy team, especially with Stealth Rock up.
Team Options
========
Thundurus fits well on offensive teams, as it provides both offensive pressure and utility in Prankster Thunder Wave. Thundurus thrives with teammates that can create VoltTurn cores with its own Volt Switch, such as Mega Scizor and Landorus-T with U-turn (RC) or and Rotom-W with Volt Switch. Pokemon such as Serperior, Clefable, and Latios that can take advantage of bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Seismitoad are greatly appreciated. Strong Stealth Rock setters that can keep Stealth Rock on the enemy side of the field such as Garchomp or Landorus-T are also great, as they can elevate Thundurus's pressure with Stealth Rock's constant presence.
[SET]
name: Bulky Pivot
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Knock Off / Focus Blast / Taunt
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Prankster
nature: Timid
evs: 240 HP / 16 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Prankster Thunder Wave enables Thundurus to cripple faster attackers and sweepers, especially in ORAS where paralysis is a 75% Speed reduction. Hidden Power Ice allows Thundurus to 2HKO many common Ground-types, even without Special Attack investment, including Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor. Knock Off provides further utility by removing important items such as Leftovers from common switch-ins such as Hippowdon, Excadrill, and Clefable. Focus Blast is an alternative that can still 2HKO Excadrill even without Special Attack investment. Taunt is an alternative that enables Thundurus to disrupt its both defensive and offensive answers, especially with Prankster. Volt Switch gives Thundurus's teammates momentum and safe switching.
Set Details
========
Prankster gives Thundurus priority Thunder Wave and Taunt, allowing it be a great disrupter of both defensive and offensive teams. Rocky Helmet is the preferred item, as it reduces Thundurus's passivity that it can suffer from a lack of Special Attack investment. However, Leftovers is still a valid option, as it maximizes Thundurus's longevity and mitigates its Stealth Rock weakness. The given spread maximizes Thundurus's overall bulk while letting it live Mega Lopunny's combination of Fake Out and Return. This allows Thundurus to pivot into Mega Lopunny multiple times throughout the game if timed correctly. Maximum Speed with a Timid nature is used to outspeed base 110s such as Mega Diancie and Mega Metagross.
Usage Tips
========
Thundurus's unique typing, decent bulk, and access to Prankster Thunder Wave enable it to be a great blanket check to many offensive threats that are susceptible to paralysis. Pokemon like Mega Lopunny, Mega Charizard X, Mega Altaria, and Weavile often have to switch out from Thundurus despite being able to OHKO it, out of fear from getting paralyzed by Prankster Thunder Wave. Knock Off is a great tool to cripple the enemy team slowly, especially early-game. Thundurus is often a great lead, but be sure to preserve it as much as possible to maintain its ability to provide speed control and an emergency Thunder Wave.
Team Options
========
Bulky Thundurus fits well on both offensive teams and bulky offensive teams. Most teams appreciate Prankster Thunder Wave, especially ones that are susceptible to getting swept. Pokemon that can reliably remove Stealth Rock from the field, such as Rapid Spin Excadrill and Defog Latias, are greatly appreciated, as they can extend Thundurus's longevity. Pokemon that can cover Thundurus's weakness to Rock- and Ice-type attacks, such as Keldeo, Bisharp, and Mega Metagross, are great partners.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Prankster
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Nasty Plot allows Thundurus to become an immediate threat, doubling its Special Attack and allowing it to OHKO or 2HKO most of the metagame. Hidden Power Ice hits bulky Ground-types such as Garchomp, Gliscor, and Landorus-T. After a Nasty Plot boost, it can 2HKO many of its checks such as Hippowdon, Latias, and Amoonguss. Focus Blast provides great damage on Electric-resistant foes such as Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Gastrodon, Mega Charizard X, and Kyurem-B. Thunderbolt is the preferred STAB option, as it provides the most consistent damage, especially when Volt Switch results in removing the Nasty Plot boosts.
Set Details
========
Prankster is still the preferred ability on Thundurus even without Thunder Wave, as Thunder Wave can still be bluffed before the Nasty Plot reveal. Alternatively, Defiant can bluff a mixed offensive set, which can be used to Thundurus's advantage if timed correctly on a Defog. Leftovers is the preferred item to provide Thundurus with longevity, allowing it to possibly set up Nasty Plot more than once per game. Life Orb is still a strong option, as it turns Thundurus to a powerful nuke, especially after Nasty Plot. Many of its near OHKOs, such as those on Serperior and Latios, become guaranteed with the additional Life Orb boost. The given spread with a Timid nature allows Thundurus to be as fast and powerful as possible, taking full advantage of its base 111 Speed and making it harder to revenge kill.
Usage Tips
========
Against slower teams, Thundurus can find opportunities to setup on more passive Pokemon, such as utility Excadrill or Ferrothorn, to attempt to punch holes in the enemy team composition. Against more offensive teams, it is more advisable for Thundurus to not set up and simply focus on attacking, as this proves to be more effective at disrupting the opposing team's strategy, and it can maintain the Thunder Wave bluff for as long as possible.
Team Options
========
Nasty Plot Thundurus is mostly used on offensive teams that can create momentum and double down on the holes in the enemy team Thundurus can often create. Nasty Plot Thundurus is much easier to revenge kill than Thunder Wave variants, so teammates that can switch in on strong threats such as Weavile and Mega Lopunny are great. Pokemon that can get timely entry hazard removal, such as Rapid Spin Excadrill and Defog Latias, are also appreciated. Latias in particular also has access to Healing Wish, which can synergize well with Nasty Plot Thundurus, giving it a second chance to sweep after trading its health to weaken the enemy team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A mixed offensive set with Defiant is old but still viable. Superpower and Knock Off are surprise coverage moves that hit some of Thundurus's typical checks hard, especially after a +2 boost from Defog. Grass Knot and Hidden Power Flying are two very notable coverage moves on Thundurus, especially the Nasty Plot set, as they can aid Thundurus in getting past common counters such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Mega Venusaur. It is also worth to note that Rocky Helmet can still be used on the Nasty Plot set, as it provdes chip damage on Fake Out users and can let Thundurus bluff a Thunder Wave set better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Nidoking are immune to Thundurus's STAB moves and Thunder Wave, making them good natural checks to it. These Pokemon in particular do not take much damage from Hidden Power Ice or Focus Blast and can often threaten Thundurus with status or a KO.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, Serperior, and Assault Vest Tangrowth resist Thundurus's STAB moves and avoid the 2HKO from Hidden Power Ice or Focus Blast. Mega Venusaur is one of its best counters, as the Thick Fat ability allows it to take very little damage from Hidden Power Ice. Serperior is notable because it is one of the Pokemon that outspeeds Thundurus. Tangrowth can continuously check Thundurus due to Regenerator. Amoonguss's Clear Smog neutralizes the Special Attack raise from Nasty Plot even if another Pokemon is already asleep and Amoonguss can't use Spore.
**Special Walls**: Pokemon such as Chansey, specially defensive Clefable, and Heatran are great pivots into Thundurus. However, they can get overwhelmed by Stealth Rock and Volt Switch chip damage over the course of the battle, not to mention that Knock Off or Taunt is usually devastating for them.
**Bulky Dragon-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Latios, and Mega Charizard X resist Thundurus's STAB moves and avoid getting OHKOed from Hidden Power Ice or Focus Blast. However, these Pokemon are often beaten by the Nasty Plot set, and they do not appreciate paralysis.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rufflespro.193716/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/paprikaflow.591583/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mixnite.663475/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
