[OVERVIEW]
Alolan Raichu has a solid niche as a fast and strong Electric-type with access to Nasty Plot, which gives it the option to set up and and break switch-ins like Clefairy and Type: Null. Its Speed tier allows it to outspeed a large portion of the metagame, making it difficult to revenge kill without priority or a Choice Scarf user. Alolan Raichu also has a wide movepool including Focus Blast, Psyshock, and Grass Knot, and it benefits from Z-Moves to help break past checks. However, poor physical bulk leaves it prone to being revenge killed by Sucker Punch users, like Skuntank and Kangaskhan, and without a Nasty Plot boost it can struggle to break strong walls like Gastrodon and Audino.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Surge Surfer
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot allows Alolan Raichu to boost its Special Attack, allows it to become a strong breaker. Psyshock hits Assault Vest users like Magmortar and Lanturn, whereas Psychic can be used to hit Pokemon with less Special Defense such as Gourgeist and Palossand. Thunderbolt provides Alolan Raichu with another STAB move to hit Mesprit and Charizard. Focus Blast is used for Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Golem, and Togedemaru, which take very little from either of Alolan Raichu's STAB moves while also offering a strong coverage option for hitting specially defensive Pokemon such as Gastrodon if Alolan Raichu opts for Psyshock.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature allow Alolan Raichu to outspeed Pokemon like Pyroar and Liepard while also Speed tying with Archeops and 252 Special Attack EVs maximize its damage output. Fightinium Z gives it a one-time powerful attack capable of breaking more specially defensive walls like Munchlax. Life Orb can be used instead if you already have a Z-Move user.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Raichu can be played mid- or late-game, and it can use Nasty Plot to break teams for another sweeper to clean up or to potentially sweep bulkier teams. Alolan Raichu should only set up on weaker Pokemon like Lanturn or on a forced switch against Pokemon such as Qwilfish and Weezing. It should be wary of priority, especially Sucker Punch, which is the only form of priority that has the potential to outright OHKO it, along with fast Choice Scarf users when, or prior to, setting up. Alolan Raichu's Z-Move can be useful when trying to break teams. Fightinium Z allows Alolan Raichu to break Gastrodon, Golem, and Ferroseed after a Nasty Plot boost, but you should be cautious of wasting it, especially if the opponent has Pokemon like Type: Null. Try not to set up when Pokemon such as Skuntank and Liepard are still present, as they can cause Sucker Punch and Pursuit mind games. Alolan Raichu also doesn't need to set up to break less bulky teams, as it has a decent enough Special Attack stat.
Team Options
========
Alolan Raichu is best used on offensive teams that require a wallbreaker and late-game sweeper, along with a means of keeping faster foes in check. Pokemon that appreciate Lanturn and Miltank being weakened, such as Magmortar and Archeops, are good teammates for Alolan Raichu. Alolan Raichu appreciates chip damage from Stealth Rock and Spikes, since most of its checks are grounded, to help it secure KOs on bulkier Pokemon such as Assault Vest Lanturn, so partners like Regirock and Qwilfish are notable. Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan and Gurdurr help check Dark-types like Skuntank and Liepard, which Alolan Raichu struggles against. Ground-immune Pokemon like Weezing are able to switch in on Pokemon such as Golurk and threaten them with status while also being able to set up Toxic Spikes to aid Alolan Raichu sweep or break later on.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Specs can be run with Volt Switch over Nasty Plot, as this provides immediate power while pressuring Pokemon such as Skuntank not to Pursuit trap Alolan Raichu; however, be wary of locking Alolan Raichu into a move, as it can be easy to take advantage of when Choice-locked. Choice Scarf can be run with the same set as Choice Specs to revenge kill setup sweepers such as Shell Smash Gorebyss and Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx or other Choice Scarf users; this can be run on teams as a designated cleaner, since its moves can be easy to take advantage of when it is locked into a suboptimal one. Grass Knot can be used to hit Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Palossand, Mudsdale, and Golurk while still maintaining coverage for Golem. Aloraichium Z can be used for a really strong attack that KOes Skuntank and Musharna after a Nasty Plot boost, and Psychium Z lets Alolan Raichu OHKO Lanturn after a Nasty Plot boost, but they don't provide the coverage Fightinium Z does.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Sucker Punch**: Strong Sucker Punch users such as Skuntank, Liepard, Shiftry, Kangaskhan, and Absol can severely weaken or KO Alolan Raichu. Sucker Punch can also cause Pursuit mind games, which should be avoided as much as possible
**Fast Choice Scarf Users**: Fast Choice Scarf users such as Mesprit, Pyroar, Primeape, and Haunter can all KO Alolan Raichu with just a small amount of chip damage.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types stop Alolan Raichu from wanting to come in or set up, as it can be put in a bad position if it can't use Thunderbolt, which can cause mind games versus teams with, for example, Golurk and Mesprit. Pokemon like Gastrodon, Palossand, and Torterra are all able to check Alolan Raichu thanks to their good bulk, with Palossand being immune to its Z-Move and all three being able to recover HP.
Alolan Raichu has a solid niche as a fast and strong Electric-type with access to Nasty Plot, which gives it the option to set up and and break switch-ins like Clefairy and Type: Null. Its Speed tier allows it to outspeed a large portion of the metagame, making it difficult to revenge kill without priority or a Choice Scarf user. Alolan Raichu also has a wide movepool including Focus Blast, Psyshock, and Grass Knot, and it benefits from Z-Moves to help break past checks. However, poor physical bulk leaves it prone to being revenge killed by Sucker Punch users, like Skuntank and Kangaskhan, and without a Nasty Plot boost it can struggle to break strong walls like Gastrodon and Audino.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Surge Surfer
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Nasty Plot allows Alolan Raichu to boost its Special Attack, allows it to become a strong breaker. Psyshock hits Assault Vest users like Magmortar and Lanturn, whereas Psychic can be used to hit Pokemon with less Special Defense such as Gourgeist and Palossand. Thunderbolt provides Alolan Raichu with another STAB move to hit Mesprit and Charizard. Focus Blast is used for Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Golem, and Togedemaru, which take very little from either of Alolan Raichu's STAB moves while also offering a strong coverage option for hitting specially defensive Pokemon such as Gastrodon if Alolan Raichu opts for Psyshock.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature allow Alolan Raichu to outspeed Pokemon like Pyroar and Liepard while also Speed tying with Archeops and 252 Special Attack EVs maximize its damage output. Fightinium Z gives it a one-time powerful attack capable of breaking more specially defensive walls like Munchlax. Life Orb can be used instead if you already have a Z-Move user.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Raichu can be played mid- or late-game, and it can use Nasty Plot to break teams for another sweeper to clean up or to potentially sweep bulkier teams. Alolan Raichu should only set up on weaker Pokemon like Lanturn or on a forced switch against Pokemon such as Qwilfish and Weezing. It should be wary of priority, especially Sucker Punch, which is the only form of priority that has the potential to outright OHKO it, along with fast Choice Scarf users when, or prior to, setting up. Alolan Raichu's Z-Move can be useful when trying to break teams. Fightinium Z allows Alolan Raichu to break Gastrodon, Golem, and Ferroseed after a Nasty Plot boost, but you should be cautious of wasting it, especially if the opponent has Pokemon like Type: Null. Try not to set up when Pokemon such as Skuntank and Liepard are still present, as they can cause Sucker Punch and Pursuit mind games. Alolan Raichu also doesn't need to set up to break less bulky teams, as it has a decent enough Special Attack stat.
Team Options
========
Alolan Raichu is best used on offensive teams that require a wallbreaker and late-game sweeper, along with a means of keeping faster foes in check. Pokemon that appreciate Lanturn and Miltank being weakened, such as Magmortar and Archeops, are good teammates for Alolan Raichu. Alolan Raichu appreciates chip damage from Stealth Rock and Spikes, since most of its checks are grounded, to help it secure KOs on bulkier Pokemon such as Assault Vest Lanturn, so partners like Regirock and Qwilfish are notable. Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan and Gurdurr help check Dark-types like Skuntank and Liepard, which Alolan Raichu struggles against. Ground-immune Pokemon like Weezing are able to switch in on Pokemon such as Golurk and threaten them with status while also being able to set up Toxic Spikes to aid Alolan Raichu sweep or break later on.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Specs can be run with Volt Switch over Nasty Plot, as this provides immediate power while pressuring Pokemon such as Skuntank not to Pursuit trap Alolan Raichu; however, be wary of locking Alolan Raichu into a move, as it can be easy to take advantage of when Choice-locked. Choice Scarf can be run with the same set as Choice Specs to revenge kill setup sweepers such as Shell Smash Gorebyss and Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx or other Choice Scarf users; this can be run on teams as a designated cleaner, since its moves can be easy to take advantage of when it is locked into a suboptimal one. Grass Knot can be used to hit Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Palossand, Mudsdale, and Golurk while still maintaining coverage for Golem. Aloraichium Z can be used for a really strong attack that KOes Skuntank and Musharna after a Nasty Plot boost, and Psychium Z lets Alolan Raichu OHKO Lanturn after a Nasty Plot boost, but they don't provide the coverage Fightinium Z does.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Sucker Punch**: Strong Sucker Punch users such as Skuntank, Liepard, Shiftry, Kangaskhan, and Absol can severely weaken or KO Alolan Raichu. Sucker Punch can also cause Pursuit mind games, which should be avoided as much as possible
**Fast Choice Scarf Users**: Fast Choice Scarf users such as Mesprit, Pyroar, Primeape, and Haunter can all KO Alolan Raichu with just a small amount of chip damage.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types stop Alolan Raichu from wanting to come in or set up, as it can be put in a bad position if it can't use Thunderbolt, which can cause mind games versus teams with, for example, Golurk and Mesprit. Pokemon like Gastrodon, Palossand, and Torterra are all able to check Alolan Raichu thanks to their good bulk, with Palossand being immune to its Z-Move and all three being able to recover HP.
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