QC: Galbia, Raiza, Anty
GP: P Squared, Rhythms
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Lightningrod
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is Raichu's main STAB move used to hit all Pokemon without a resistance or immunity as hard as possible while also not forcing Raichu to switch afterwards. Volt Switch allows Raichu to pivot out and can keep up momentum for offensive teams. Focus Blast hits most of the Pokemon in the PU metagame that are immune to Electric, such as Piloswine and Golem, for super effective damage, and Hidden Power Ice allows Raichu to revenge kill Jumpluff after Stealth Rock and is its best coverage move against Grass-types such as Victreebel.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed EVs, a Timid nature, and a Choice Scarf make Raichu the fastest revenge killer in the PU tier, allowing it to outspeed every relevant threat apart from the fastest weather sweepers, such as Golduck. Maximum investment in Special Attack EVs are used to let Raichu hit as hard as possible to more effectively revenge kill threatening sweepers. Lightningrod is the preferred ability because it can pressure Electric-types to not freely spam Volt Switch, and it also gives a useful +1 boost to Special Attack if Raichu is able to come in on an Electric-type attack.
Usage Tips
========
Keeping Raichu alive late-game is crucial if your opponent has a sweeper that can only be stopped by Raichu, such as Shell Smash Barbaracle, so be careful to preserve it. While it is an excellent revenge killer, Raichu is always OHKOed by a +2 Aqua Jet from Carracosta, so it won't be able to reliably revenge kill Carracosta once it sets up. Similarly, Raichu cannot reliably revenge kill Torterra if Torterra is holding a Yache Berry or has its health above 80%, so make sure to scout out its item and weaken it before trying to take it out with Hidden Power Ice. If your opponent has a Ground-type or a Pokemon with Lightningrod, be careful about using Electric-type moves, as they can give opposing Pokemon free switches and a free turn, as Raichu is forced to switch out. If the opponent doesn't have an Electric immunity, use Volt Switch over Thunderbolt early-game to weaken teams while pivoting and use Thunderbolt to clean up weakened teams late-game. If your opponent has a Raichu counter, such as Hypno, use Volt Switch on the predicted switch to get a free switch with damage.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Raichu fits best on balanced or offensive teams that lack a solid way to revenge kill the faster sweepers in the tier. Grass- and Water-types such as Tangela and Poliwrath can help take on Ground-types for Raichu as well as check Carracosta, one of the few sweepers Raichu cannot revenge kill. Ground-types such as Piloswine can help to pressure Electric-types immune to Raichu's STAB attacks as well as provide Stealth Rock support. Fire-types such as Rapidash can put pressure on Grass-types such as Roselia for Raichu, as many take very little from a Hidden Power Ice. Other entry hazard setters such as Roselia can also lay down Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which can wear down opposing teams quickly when combined with Raichu's Volt Switch pivoting. U-turn users such as Ninjask can form a VoltTurn core with Raichu by constantly pivoting out while attacking to quickly wear down opposing teams.
GP: P Squared, Rhythms
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Lightningrod
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is Raichu's main STAB move used to hit all Pokemon without a resistance or immunity as hard as possible while also not forcing Raichu to switch afterwards. Volt Switch allows Raichu to pivot out and can keep up momentum for offensive teams. Focus Blast hits most of the Pokemon in the PU metagame that are immune to Electric, such as Piloswine and Golem, for super effective damage, and Hidden Power Ice allows Raichu to revenge kill Jumpluff after Stealth Rock and is its best coverage move against Grass-types such as Victreebel.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed EVs, a Timid nature, and a Choice Scarf make Raichu the fastest revenge killer in the PU tier, allowing it to outspeed every relevant threat apart from the fastest weather sweepers, such as Golduck. Maximum investment in Special Attack EVs are used to let Raichu hit as hard as possible to more effectively revenge kill threatening sweepers. Lightningrod is the preferred ability because it can pressure Electric-types to not freely spam Volt Switch, and it also gives a useful +1 boost to Special Attack if Raichu is able to come in on an Electric-type attack.
Usage Tips
========
Keeping Raichu alive late-game is crucial if your opponent has a sweeper that can only be stopped by Raichu, such as Shell Smash Barbaracle, so be careful to preserve it. While it is an excellent revenge killer, Raichu is always OHKOed by a +2 Aqua Jet from Carracosta, so it won't be able to reliably revenge kill Carracosta once it sets up. Similarly, Raichu cannot reliably revenge kill Torterra if Torterra is holding a Yache Berry or has its health above 80%, so make sure to scout out its item and weaken it before trying to take it out with Hidden Power Ice. If your opponent has a Ground-type or a Pokemon with Lightningrod, be careful about using Electric-type moves, as they can give opposing Pokemon free switches and a free turn, as Raichu is forced to switch out. If the opponent doesn't have an Electric immunity, use Volt Switch over Thunderbolt early-game to weaken teams while pivoting and use Thunderbolt to clean up weakened teams late-game. If your opponent has a Raichu counter, such as Hypno, use Volt Switch on the predicted switch to get a free switch with damage.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Raichu fits best on balanced or offensive teams that lack a solid way to revenge kill the faster sweepers in the tier. Grass- and Water-types such as Tangela and Poliwrath can help take on Ground-types for Raichu as well as check Carracosta, one of the few sweepers Raichu cannot revenge kill. Ground-types such as Piloswine can help to pressure Electric-types immune to Raichu's STAB attacks as well as provide Stealth Rock support. Fire-types such as Rapidash can put pressure on Grass-types such as Roselia for Raichu, as many take very little from a Hidden Power Ice. Other entry hazard setters such as Roselia can also lay down Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which can wear down opposing teams quickly when combined with Raichu's Volt Switch pivoting. U-turn users such as Ninjask can form a VoltTurn core with Raichu by constantly pivoting out while attacking to quickly wear down opposing teams.
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